Born in 1974 and raised in Kiryat Shmona, Lior Elmalich was drawn to the haunting sound of Andalusian music from very early childhood. He got his first musical education from the well-known Andalusian poet Nissim Shushan, in addition to musical lessons at the Ramat Gan Conservatory. By age thirteen he had already started performing in Israel and abroad, building a reputation as one of the finest modern singers of traditional Spanish and Moroccan poems. Following his national army service as a soloist in the IDF Chorus, he joined the Israel Andalusian Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Avi Amzaleg, where he was a lead soloist for over 10 years. With the orchestra, he appeared in the US and Europe alongside the likes of Munshid Abdelfattah Bennis and the Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble. In 2003 the orchestra recorded an anthology of Algerian and Moroccan Sh'abi pieces, entitled 'Tzur Shehechiani,' featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Morris Almaduni as well as Elmalich's vocals.
A true visionary, Elmalich's main dream is to introduce the beauty of the piutim to as many music lovers as possible all over the world. Accordingly, his first solo album, 'Neshima' (Breath), composed by musician Eric Rudich and released in 2003, is a moving fusion of traditional Andalusian music with a variety of modern settings. He is now working on a new album with traditional and new melodies for old poems, with musician Micha Sheetrit. This endeavor follows their Beit Hillel and Avi Chai Foundation-sponsored project of holding performances for university students all over Israel.
Elmalich's exceptional talent is in constant high demand, and he is involved with a variety of initiatives, including establishing a new Andalusian orchestra, the "Andael"; performing with the Andalusian Ensemble; and creating his own flamenco-fusion band with guitarist and arranger Hanan Levy and virtuoso oud player Nabil Halili. In addition, Elmalich is currently working closely with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Ethnomusicology Department on preserving old Jewish cultural musical treasures. This vital, long-term project of more than two years, soon to be published, will be the first attempt in history to record "Shirat Habakashot" - hundreds-year-old traditional poems from the Moroccan, Algerian and Ladino heritages.
for more music and info. please visit Lior's website www.elmalich.com
Lior Elmalich was chosen by the distinguished members of IcExcellence Advisory Board for Israeli
Music: Yossi Marhaim, Dubi Lentz and Gal Uchovsky.
IcExcellence is supporting Lior in tailor-made artistic programs, and providing special career advancement consulting.
Press Reviews
"Elmalich's bell-like voice"..."the Oriental Beethoven"..."the seal of quality"... Yedioth Aharonoth
"...he is one of those singers for whom true embellishment is part of their blood, innate and natural....His voice and expression are thrilling." Maariv
"His voice penetrates your heart"..."His singing bursts from his throat like a bell clapper with a sweet tone"..."A velvet and silk voice arousing yearning" Yediot Hagalil
"Elmalich's production is very rich, professional and polished, and highlights a singer with an excellent voice and rich musical knowledge"..."An excellent singer with tremendous vocal capabilities" Pnai Plus
"He's a singer in the full-throated sense, exciting, captivating, stormy"..."Elmalich holds an enormous voice…high and clear, supported by strong lungs"..."He can sing, stretch a note, embellish, do vibrato"..."Elmalich controls his voice like a musical instrument"..."Elmalich is one of those few truly worthy of being called a singer..." Scoop
"An excellent singer with high-quality credentials"..."An excellent singer, full of expression, who has put out really beautiful songs." Zman Tel Aviv
