Photo courtesy of UApresents

Israeli singer and songwriter Noa sings a variety of folk and rock styles in both Hebrew and English. Noa performs Sunday night at 7:30 in Centennial Hall.

Friday November 2, 2001

Israeli songwriter pays homage to ethnicity through musical fusion

Israeli singer and songwriter Noa, who performs at Centennial Hall Sunday, decided her future before she stopped wearing diapers.

Her musical devotion led her to enlist in a performance sector of the Israeli army at 18. Two years later, she returned to New York to begin her professional career.

"I was destined for music," Noa said. "I have been musical since I was 2 or 3 years old."

This is Noa's first tour in the United States since the birth of her son seven months ago. Noa is traveling with her guitarist and creative partner and a percussionist. She said her son also tours with the trio.

"The guitarist, Gil Dor, has been my creative partner for the past 12 years," Noa said. "(He is) the heart of the band."

Noa said she has already toured several times in Europe since her son's birth.

"After (my) baby was born I had a one-month tour in Europe," she said. "(And I have had) three or four tours in Europe since."

She added that the majority of her career has been centered in Europe and Israel.

"I never invested the time and energy to create something substantial (in the United States)," she said.

Noa's University of Arizona performance will include a conglomeration of songs taken from her seven albums. She will sing in Hebrew as well as English.

"It is a collection of all of my albums," she said. "(It is) an interesting show - even for people who haven't heard my music before."

Noa said her music has a rock and pop base with some ethnic influences, including folk.

"(My music is) a fusion of Israeli and American music - a personal expression of a human being laying her soul out through music," she said.

She added that her musical inspiration has come from artists like her favorite band, The Police, as well as Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel and James Taylor.

Hal Ossman, assistant director of UA's Hillel Foundation, added that while Noa's music may be based on folk styles, it gives way to jazz, blues and Middle Eastern musical styles as well.

"She hits a lot of different genres," he said. "There is no one way to describe her and that is what is so fabulous."

Ossman added that Noa could be compared to the American artists Sarah McLachlan or Ani DiFranco.

"I am a person who creates (my) own music - and I think (with) my heart," Noa said. "I don't create commercial (music) per se - I am inspired by life, by people around me (and by) my background."

She said she performs a range of musical styles and portrays a range of emotions, but said neither is ever trivial.

"Even when (my music) is happy, it is not frivolous," Noa said.

She added that any person interested in music, poetry or creativity should come to the show.

Ossman said Noa could well be the best Israeli artist he has ever seen perform.

"(Noa) has tremendous energy and an amazing voice," he said. "She uses a lot of personal experiences and personal beliefs that translate through her music."

Noa performs one time only - Sunday night at 7:30 in Centennial Hall. Tickets range from $26 to $38. Student discounts are available. Call 621-3341 for more ticket information.