The Piyut Ensemble

“Setting out on our journey, we had never imagined becoming a small community creating an expressive style of its own within the vast world of the ״Piyut״ (Sacred poetry), working our way along the seam between our memories and a search for identity – a local Jewish – Israeli sound.

The ensemble assembled during 2006, directed by one of the greatest North African Paytanim (liturgical poet-singers) of this generation- Rabbi Haim Louk. The encounter with the treasures of North African poetry and music, opened before us an inspiring horizon beyond any imaginable boundary, generation, and social definitions. Step by step, the Piyut Ensemble began to develop their own unique and multilayered musical language. 

It is a music of the past, as much as it is of today. It is a part of Jerusalem and the Diaspora.

The Ensemble became recognized by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, leading to the release of their first album “Arba Otiyot”, distributed by the label “Nana Disc” in 2015”.

The Piyut Ensemble performs constantly, including unique collaborative performances at leading international and local music festivals, bringing a new sound which is both deeply rooted in tradition and surprisingly contemporary.