The World of David Broza [Bio by Terry Cox 11/01]

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With 23 albums to his name, Broza continues to forge his way with a style so diverse that he has passionate fans in every corner of the world. He has also gained a wealth of respect in American literary circles for his lyrical adaptations of poems written by some of the greats. To echo Robert Frost, whose former writing cottage Broza frequents at Bennington College in Vermont where he was appointed artist-in-residence and often conducts workshops on poetry and song, there is no "road not taken" or dream not approached in David's career. Armed with his early classical guitar training in Madrid and the cultural and linguistic facility of three languages, Broza has adapted into songs his favorite poems by Federico Garcia Lorca, Elizabeth Bishop, Alberto Rios, Liam Rector, Theodore Roethke, Anne Sexton, Heather McHugh, David St. John, Walt Whitman, Matthew Graham, Wyn Cooper, and award-winning Israeli poet and journalist Yehonatan Geffen. Stephen Holden of the New York Times praised Broza's ability to utilize a poet's work without compromising its original richness and integrity. Lorca, a major poet and playwright who was assassinated during the Spanish Civil War, played such an influential role in David's music that upon the 50th anniversary of Lorca's death, David was invited to represent Israel on a tribute album released by CBS Spain. Titled Poets in New York, this album featured important international artists, including Leonard Cohen, Donovan, Paco de Lucia and Mikis Theodorakis.

In addition to his multi-cultural pop albums, Broza is the creator of a classical suite which has been performed with orchestras all over the world. His song Together, co-written with Ramsey McClean, was the theme song for the UNICEF 50th anniversary celebration in more than 148 countries. His Israeli anthem for peace, YihveTove, based on a poem written by Yehonatan Geffen and adapted by American lyric writer Terry Cox, was performed at Rabin memorials in New York's Madison Square Garden, Washington, Boston and other venues. The fervor that Broza fans continue to display wherever he performs is due at least in part to their feeling that David is an artist of and for the people.

Cases in point: playing for Israeli soldiers in bunkers on the front lines, wounded soldiers in hospitals and civilians in shelters who were evacuated from their homes during bomb raids -- flying himself & Al DiMeola to play to American Troops during the Gulf War -- sitting in a hospital with parents of kids hurt or killed in a collapsed fence incident at the Arad Festival. Wherever there is a need and an opportunity for Broza to use the power of music to heal and promote peace and unity, there he goes.