Musician bridges cultural differences, brings message to Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- One of Israel's most popular recording artists is in San Francisco for a sold-out concert and he's using his music to bring different cultures together.

The Idan Raichel Project is a multicultural and international collection of musicians working with an Israeli recording artist who believes music can bring people together in spite of their political or religious differences.

Idan Raichel visited ABC7 News with the Consul General of Israel to talk about why this project is unique.

"We're singing in our own native languages, in Hebrew, Arabic, over 95 musicians and singers record in the Idan Raichel Project. The youngest member in the project is 16 and the young spirits are 83 and 91 years old," Raichel said.

Cheryl: "Why do you call it the Idan Raichel Project?"

Raichel: "Because it's not a band. In every song there is a different lead singer and different musicians."

Israel is surrounded by countries in conflict. Raichel says his project brings the voices of Palestinians, Lebanese and Syrian musicians to mainstream radio in Israel.

"When you talk about peace agreements and the struggle for peace, I think it should start from the art, that people will start just listening to music from both sides," Raichel said.

"Once you are hearing the performers that join Idan, you stop looking at the colors, you stop looking at how they look, you just understand they are just like you," Israel Consul General Dr. Andy David said. "I think Idan is maybe the best ambassador that Israel has through his music and his inclusiveness."

Raichel is sharing his music with the San Francisco Bay Area by offering free music downloads.

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music, israel, celebrity, entertainment, cheryl jennings

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