Artist Biography by Jason Ankeny
OFRA HAZA, desert wind, 246 249-1, 12. All records will be posted with extra card stiffeners. If you feel the album is not as described, I will give a full refund.
![Ofra haza funeral Ofra haza funeral](/uploads/1/2/6/4/126401079/909003423.jpg)
Long one of Israel's most popular singers, Ofra Haza broke through to international recognition during the mid-'80s when her traditional music found favor on the U.K. club circuit, its success leading to a series of unlikely pop projects. Born in Tel Aviv on November 19, 1957, Haza was the daughter of Yemenite parents forced to flee from their native country's Muslim regime; at the age of 12 she joined the renowned Hatikva theatrical troupe, and with that group, cut a number of award-winning records before serving a compulsory two-year tour of duty in the Israeli army. Upon her discharge, in 1979 she mounted a solo career, becoming a star not only at home but also in neighboring Arab nations; in 1983, her recording of 'Chai!' placed second in the annual Eurovision Song Contest.