Artist Portrait – Stations in Time: Itzik Kala – Jerusalem East and West Orchestra

Artist Portrait / Stations in Time: Itzik Kala

As part of the 2026–2027 season of the Jerusalem East–West Orchestra
Arrangements and musical direction: Tom Cohen
November–December 2026

Long before artists learned how to “rise from the bottom,” and with very little help from the media, Itzik Kala had already become a major icon. In addition to being one of the pillars of Israel’s Mizrahi music, Kala collaborated with the greatest and best, released dozens of albums, and gave us a long, beloved list of unforgettable classics. Over an extraordinary career spanning decades, Kala carved out an almost mythical status for himself in Israeli music.

As a true symbol of the city of Jerusalem and a recipient of the Distinguished Citizen of Jerusalem Award—and as someone who, in our eyes, embodies better than anyone the beauty and creative potential that emerges from it—we are thrilled by the opportunity to host this living legend for a concert series that musically connects Kurdistan, Turkey, Greece, and Israel.

Guest musician: Naor Ben-Dror

Photo credit: Uri Eliyahu