Famous Israeli Musicians

Keren Peles is an Israeli pianist, singer-songwriter, and poet. Over the course of her songwriting career, Peles has contributed immensely to the success of other popular singers like Shiri Maimon and Miri Mesika by writing the lyrics of some of their hit songs. She has also found success as a singer as many of her albums have been certified gold.  

Daniel Barenboim is a pianist and conductor currently serving as the general music director of the Berlin State Opera and the Staatskapelle Berlin. He has previously been the music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, and La Scala in Milan. He is a recipient of Spain's Prince of Asturias Concord Award among others.

Evgeny Kissin is a Russian-born composer and concert pianist. He is renowned for his renditions of the works of great musicians like Ludwig van Beethoven, Robert Schumann, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Over the course of his illustrious career, Evgeny Kissin has won many prestigious musical awards, such as the Grammy Awards, Triumph Award, and Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli Award.

Ofra Haza was an Israeli actress and singer who achieved great popularity in the Western world where she came to be known as the Madonna of the East. An influential cultural figure in Israel, Ofra Haza played a major role in popularizing the Mizrahi culture. During her illustrious singing career, Haza earned several gold and platinum discs.

Tzachi Halevy is an Israeli actor and singer best known for his portrayal of Ephraim in the 2018 biblical drama film, Mary Magdalene. He has also played important roles in popular TV series, such as Fauda and Mossad 101. As a singer, Halevy is known for his association with Mayumana troupe, a dance troupe that combines song, percussion, and dance.

Ninet Tayeb is an Israeli musician, composer, singer-songwriter, DJ, actress, and model. Regarded as one of the most famous people in the entertainment industry in Israel, Tayeb is also renowned for her International collaborations; in 2015, she was named among the hottest new artists to enter the American entertainment industry. She has won a couple of MTV Europe Music Awards.

Max Brod was a Czech German-speaking Jewish author, composer, and journalist. He studied law at the German Charles-Ferdinand University and proceeded to pursue a career as a journalist and composer. He worked as an editor and literary adviser for the Israeli national theatre for three decades. He was a close friend and biographer of writer Franz Kafka. 

Israeli-born British Gilad Atzmon has established himself as one of the best jazz saxophonists of his time. His collaborations include tracks with stars such as Robbie Williams and Pink Floyd. He has also been in the news for his articles condemning Zionism and for his books, such as The Wandering Who?

Esther Ofarim is an Israeli singer. She began performing folk songs as a child. As a young woman, she married Abi Ofarim, a guitarist and dancer. The couple performed together as the folk duo Esther & Abi Ofarim in the 1960s. After they divorced, she focused on building a solo career. She is the recipient of an Edison Award. 

Ari Folman is an Israeli film director, animator, and screenwriter. He was born to Holocaust survivors in Israel. He studied at Tel Aviv University's department of film and television and began his career producing documentaries. He directed the documentary film Waltz with Bashir, based on the aftermath of the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre. 

Aviv Geffen is an Israeli singer, songwriter, rock musician, keyboardist, guitarist, and record producer. He is credited with co-founding the popular band Blackfield. One of the most popular Israeli artists of his generation, Geffen remains a youth icon although his popularity was at its peak during the 1990s. His music deals with themes like love, peace, politics, suicide, and death.

Keren Ann is a singer, songwriter, producer, composer, and engineer. In addition to playing the guitar, clarinet, and piano, Ann also writes and engineers musical and choir arrangements. Over the years, she has also contributed to the soundtrack of films like Thelma, Louise et Chantal and Yossi.

Naomi Shemer was an Israeli songwriter and musician. One of the most popular figures of her generation, Shemer was referred to as the first lady of Israeli poetry and song. Her song Jerusalem of Gold became an unofficial anthem when Israel won the Six-Day War in 1967. In 1983, she was honored with the Israel Prize for a Hebrew song.