Shimi Tavori
| Shimi Tavori (שימי תבורי) |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Shimshon Tawili |
| Born |
February 9, 1953 Israel |
| Origin | Yemeni Hebrew origin |
| Genres | Mizrahi music |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1975 – present |
| Website | www |
Shimi Tavori (Hebrew: שימי תבורי) (born Shimshon Tawili on February 9, 1953) is an Israeli singer. He performs in Hebrew and French mostly in the Mizrahi music tradition, considered one of its biggest stars.
Tavori started out singing at nightclubs in Ramla, among them Calipso and Karish. After his service in the Israel Defense Forces, he recorded his first song, Helena, which was coldly received at first but later became a hit. His first major break came after David Halfon heard him perform a song that Halfon had written for another singer. Halfon introduced Tavori to Uzi Hitman in his early days as a songwriter.
In 1976, the collaboration with Hitman led to Tavori's first record, Chipasti Shirim La'Tzet La'Olam ("I searched for songs to go out to the world"; Hebrew: חיפשתי שירים לצאת לעולם), including his first hit, Eyn Lee Ahavah ("I have no love"; Hebrew: אין לי אהבה), written by Eliezer Rabin. After the records release, Tavori was awarded first place in the Middle Eastern Singing Festival (Hebrew: פסטיבל הזמר המזרחי) with his song Shechora Ve'Nava" ("Black & Beautiful"). The following year Tavori placed second at the same festival with his song Kinor David, and in 1979 he once more placed first with the song Moshe, written for him by singer-songwriter Avihu Medina.
Collaboration with Medina produced numbers like Shabhi Yerushalayim and Al Tashliheini Le'et Zikna, which became megahits for Tavori and other Mizrahi singers in Israel.
In 1982 Tavori turned down an offer to enter the festival again with the song written for him by Medina, Haperch Be'Gani (which ended up placing first when performed by Medina's second choice, Zohar Argov, launching his legendary career), choosing instead to go perform in New York City. In 1993 Tavori entered the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Chai Et Ma'She Yesh ("I Live With What I've Got"; Hebrew: חי את מה שיש). Known also with the ballad "Remember" in the 80's (Big hit in Greece 1985-1986). In 2000, he released a triple album in French "Oriental Tempo" with international contributions of kurd-Turkish superstar Ibrahim Talises, French entertainer Francky Perez and Israeli award winner Meir Banai.
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Wikipedia