Yemen Blues was formed in Israel by singer Ravid Khalani and bass player Omer Avital, as a project that brings a number of traditions together using Yemenite music as its base. West African grooves, Latin beats, a touch of jazz, Israeli melodies, all go into the mixture. The band brings together a group of accomplished musicians, each come from a variety of backgrounds. Their music is highly energetic and funky, incorporating an oud and various hand drums in addition to western style drums, bass, keyboards and a horn section. Khalani sings in Yemenite Arabic and plays gimbri, a three-stringed instrument from Morocco. He is a dynamic and charismatic performer who has a mesmerizing presence on stage.
