In 2010, singer and composer Ravid Kahalani founded the rare combination of top musicians we now call Yemen Blues. From the start, Yemen Blues created an original sound that became a new language in contemporary music. The intense musicians hail from NYC, Uruguay and Tel Aviv. This includes the core members: Rony Iwryn, Itamar Doari, and Shanir Blumenkranz. Each member comes from a different background and brings their own sound and arrangements to Ravid's compositions. The result of this amazing group is a powerful energy that mixes Yemenite, West African and jazz influences. The mambo and North African rhythms create a joyful and deep foundation, while the vocals remind the listener of ancient Arabic chants mixed with funk and blues. Yemen Blues keeps magic alive with a constant stream of new songs and their world-renowned exciting live performances!

"Led by the ridiculously charismatic singer Ravid Kahalani, the ensemble combines traditional Yemenite melodies and instruments including all sorts of percussion, even empty jerry cans with jazz, blues and funk to come up with a sound that's like nothing we've ever heard before." - National Geographic

“With Kahalani's soulful vocals alternating between the grit of Mississippi Delta to the falsetto of Prince-style funk, Yemen blues was one of the breakout favorites from this year's GlobalFEST lineup” - NPR Music

http://www.yemenblues.com/