Daphna Levy was born and raised in Tel Aviv. Descending from a cantor lineage and a member of the Levy ancient tribe of spiritually elated musicians, she grew up with a deep passion for music. At the age of ten, attending a Gospel choir live concert made her realize that singing was her calling.

 

Throughout the years, Daphna has appeared at various jazz festivals and concert halls in Europe and North America. She has been the lead singer with Hed Big Band for two decades. Her music is broadcast on various radio stations.

 

Daphna is also a composer, arranger and experienced vocal jazz teacher. She obtained an MA degree in Far Eastern philosophy and her musicianship is guided by the spiritual freedom that meditation creates. “For me," she says, "jazz is a kind of Tao - a route created while walking. It's a way of feeling connected and touching people; a journey of self expression.”

 

Daphna began her musical pursuit as a classical music student playing upright bass and later on as the lead singer with the army big band. She studied theatre as well as jazz piano and meditation, and is proud to have been a student of renowned voice teacher Mr. Seth Riggs (Los Angeles, CA). Daphna performed at many jazz clubs in Europe and the US and gave concerts at temples and Evangelical churches in Texas, Florida, Alabama and Oklahoma.

 

Daphna's album Late Night Journey features highly acclaimed tenor sax player Lew Tabackin. The album was recorded in Tel Aviv and NYC with an international band of musicians from the US, Israel and Europe.

 

Daphna's jazz-ethnic-Jewish-classical crossover project reveals her fascination with exploring the potential of weaving together different music genres. She plays festivals and concerts throughout Europe with her quartet Daphna & The ClassiCats, and also in a unique  voice-bass duo.

​

"Daphna Levy is a formidable vocalist"

   - All About Jazz magazine

 

 

"Daphna Levy is a wonderful singer with a full understanding of the jazz tradition. She has great intonation and a wonderful sense of adventure and playfulness when she sings."
- Kenny Barron