Greece is Greek music, and the heart and soul of Greek music is Rebetiko. This musical style, born out of the pain and struggle of immigrants, became a synonym for Greek blues music and for deeply profound music that can reach into the depths of the soul. One of the leading figures in the Israeli rebetiko scene is Tomer Katz, a talented musician and the founder of the band Red Flower.

Red Flower Band

Tomer’s connection to Greek music started with an innocent vacation, when he unexpectedly took a boat from Santorini to the island of Koufonisia. Until then, his main interests’ were rock and blues music, he played the guitar and studied in Rimon school of music. Greek music and Greece in general was not particularly of interest to him, and he viewed Greek music as merely ‘happy’ music, meant to serve as background for a drunken crowd in the Tavernas.

Tomer Katz Performing

On that critical boat ride he heard Rebetiko for the first time, when a bunch of Greek guys on deck where playing the bouzouki.

Tomer was stunned – something about this music touched him and he understood that there is something else going on. And when the heart opens – love follows.

Tomer met a Greek girl on the same boat, followed her to Athens and had a significant experience there, when he watched the Greek singer Mario in one of the most amazing concerts of his life. From there on, the path was clear to him. He decided to follow this musical direction, a musical journey that still goes on today.

להקת פרח אדום

When he returned to Israel, Tomer bought a bouzouki, studied Arabic music, visited Greece frequently, became a professional Rebetiko player and cooperated with different Israeli musicians. in 2001 he founded Red Flower band, which numbers 6 musicians who play Rebetiko music using only acoustic instruments.

They host Greek musicians in many of their shows.

Manolis Rasoulis

One of the band’s most successful shows was when they hosted Manolis Rasoulis, the great late poet and singer. Their performances together were unforgettable and created a strong bond between Manolis and the Israeli musicians. They also played with Rebetiko singer Sophia Papazoglou, and legendary bouzouki players like Nikos Tatsopolous and Manolis Kardinis.

the movie: My Sweet Canary poster

Another highlight of Tomer’s career was his performance in the film ‘My Sweet Canary’, a documentary by filmmaker Roy Sher, which tells the story of Roza Ashkenazi, the famous Jewish Rebetiko musician who was active in 1940s Thessaloniki and Athens. Ashkenazi was the star of Rebetiko during that period.

The film follows 3 young musicians from Israel, Turkey and Greece who go on a journey to discover Roza’s story through her biography and music. The film was critically acclaimed and was screened in festivals around the world. It was the opening film for the Thessaloniki film festival a few years ago. Tomer recalls the experience: “It was an amazing moment. The theater was packed, it was a very emotional screening. People were standing and clapping in the end…it was wonderfull!”. Watch the movie trailer here.

thr Movie Trailer:

תומר כץ עם מרטה דה לויס הזמרת הקפריסאית ומחטפ דמיר התורכיה שהופיעוו לצידו בסרט

The journey did not end there. The band continues to collaborate with different artists, and they even came full circle when they performed with Mario, the same singer which made Tomer fall in love with Rebetiko for the first time. He also organized a yearly seminar of Rebetiko music in Jerusalem.

Another important female musician who was also Jewish is Stella Haskil. Greek’s greatest composers wrote music for her. She died at the age of 36 and is one of Tomer’s favorite artists. These days the band is preparing for a show of her music in Thessaloniki.

For those of you who finished reading this with a burning desire to grab a bouzouki – Tomer also teaches Rebetiko music, and he does so with a great passion. You can study with him in the Center for Eastern Music in Musrara, Jerusalem, or take private lessons in his house. You can contact Tomer through his Facebook Page.