Tell us about your musical upbringing…

I was born Be’er Sheva, a southern city in the Negev desert of Israel. When I was four years old, my family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland for a period of four years. When I think of it, that was where my infatuation with American culture and music was first formed.  My scientist parents thought it best for me to study piano. That was where music first entered my life, but after ten years of classical piano, I realized that I actually wanted to sing. In spite of my wish, I wasn’t encouraged to pursue singing right away. To this day, my father will tell you that I couldn’t carry a note until a late age. When I asked for singing lessons, my parents offered drama classes instead. It was not until her senior year in high school when I decided to study voice professionally. I used my grandparent’s graduation gift to pay for lessons with the famous Israeli singer. It was such a big deal for me, a young girl from the south, taking weekly trips to Tel Aviv to study with a master!  I can recall the day she said ‘You know, you should really be singing jazz.’ That’s where it all began. I moved to New York City nine years ago and have been at it since!

 

Who is the first singer you heard that made you think, “I want to do this!”?

To this day, I get chills every time I hear Ella Fitzgerald’s voice. I cannot get over her tone, vibrato and the clarity in every note she sings, not to mention how swinging she is!

 

What kinds of gigs did you do in the early days?

I sang everywhere and anywhere! I was a poor student trying to make ends meet and desperately wanting to sing. If a place offered a warm meal and a drink in exchange for a couple of hours of music, I was there!

 

When did you decide to come to NYC?

I began my BFA at The Center For Jazz Studies in Tel Aviv which was partnered with the jazz program at The New School. This program allowed me to move to the city in 2015. The degree was secondary to the opportunity to experience the true home of jazz- New York. I still cannot believe the amount of amazing music going on every single day in so many spots around town, it’s like one big never ending jazz festival.

 

Give us three jazz vocal albums everyone should own…

Ella Fitzgerald – Ella In Rome The Birthday Concert, Nancy Wilson – But Beautiful, and Shirly Horn – Loads Of Love.

 

What’s your favorite thing about NYC?

In addition to it being a never ending jazz festival, I love feeling like I am in the center of the universe. It’s perfect for my FOMO. No matter where you are in the city, it feels like you are where it is ALL happening. The possibilities are endless, and the people you are surrounded by are really the best people in their field. Only the crazy die-hard ones decide to come to NYC and stay here. I love being around them!

 

What does “jazz” mean to you?

History, love, freedom, expression, tradition and innovation – all are bundled up in my favorite art form.

 

Who is your number one singing influence?

This really changes depending on what I am listening to but my overall all time influence is Ella Fitzgerald

 

Tell us why you love singing at the Club Room?

This was my first steady gig coming out of COVID which meant so much at a time where it seemed nothing would ever return to what it used to be. I absolutely love the vibe and the interior of the room. I also love it even more since the stage was built and it feels like a jazz club.

 

What’s in store for you in 2025?

A new album entitled Dream With Me featuring songs about dreams will start rolling out in January with a full LP drop in June. I’ll be taking the music to a few countries in Europe, Mexico and around the US!