Naama
Biography Naama
Naama
Inspired by the emotionally direct compositions of Rodgers and Hart, Fields and Hugh, Cole Porter and other great composers and lyricists of the 1930’s and ‘40’s Naama has established herself as a prominent voice in the New York City jazz scene. Possessed with an urbane and elegant sound Naama's sensitive interpretation and crisp phrasing have become recognizable elements of her signature style and timeless appeal. An honest and poignant performer, Naama has appeared in celebrated festivals and acclaimed jazz venues domestically and internationally.
Naama’s debut album- Dearly Beloved ( 2020 Cellar Music Group ) - was praised by critics and labeled as "...a promising debut... which augurs well for future releases."- Cree McCree, Downbeat Magazine.
Naama's 2nd album- If I Knew Then, released in November 2022 featuring Ben Paterson, Neal Miner & Evan Sherman was described as as "... simple, inventive, and stunning..." -C.Michael Bailey , All About Jazz.
The 3rd LP - Where Flamingos Fly feat. Vibraphonist Steve Nelson will be released in 2023.
Naama was born in 1991 to aspiring scientists in Be’er Sheva, a southern city in the Negev desert. When she was four years old, the family relocated to Baltimore MD, for a period of four years. “When I think of it, that was where my infatuation with American culture and music was first formed” she recalls. Her parents thought it best for her to study piano. "That was where music first entered my life, but after ten years of classical piano, I realized that I actually wanted to sing".In spite of her wish, Naama wasn’t encouraged to pursue singing right away. "To this day, my father will tell you that I couldn’t carry a note until a late age. When I asked for singing lessons, my parents offered drama classes instead”.
It was not until her senior year in high school when she decided to study voice professionally. “I used my grandparent’s graduation gift to pay for lessons with the famous Israeli singer Ricki Gal. It was such a big deal for me, a young girl from the south, taking weekly trips to Tel Aviv to study with a master! I can recall the day she said 'You know, you should really be singing jazz.’”
In 2012 Naama was accepted to the The Center for Jazz Studies in Tel Aviv, where she spent three years studying jazz and classical voice. Exposed to new music, she was infatuated by singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra. " I was seduced by the urbane lyrical style along with the beautifully constructed melodies these singers were singing. I immediately felt at home with these songs. I worked on finding my own voice within these standards and found ways to insert fresh concepts, make them interesting."
In 2015 Naama’s ticket to NYC came in the form of a scholarship to attend the prestigious jazz program at The New School For Performing Arts. Soon after she began performing throughout the city and gaining experience as well as respect from soon to be fans and colleagues
