English-singing pianist wins music reality show ‘Rising Star’

Israel’s newest music star may very well be Tamir Grinberg, Wednesday night’s winner of Channel 12’s reality music show “Rising Star.”

Grinberg, 26, came in first in the final, winning NIS 1 million ($310,000) for his rendition of his own original song, “Tell Me Where The Light Goes.”

Second place went to Valerie Hamaty, 21, followed by Matan Levi, 21, and Shay Hamber, 23.

Winner Grinberg is a well-known vocalist, composer and pianist from Tel Aviv who has been performing live since his teens, when he studied at the Tel Aviv’s Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts and formed The Tamir Grinberg Band, an eight-piece jazz group.

He has been called a musical prodigy, the next Otis Redding or Ray Charles, known for his rich vocals, raspy voice and meld of funk, blues and jazz in his composed works, with a strong, steady beat of rhythm and blues.

Grinberg has already toured in the United States and recorded a debut album, “InWaters.”

He performed in English throughout the entire season.

Grinberg’s winning performance on Wednesday’s night “HaKochav Haba,” was onstage at Rishon Lezion’s LivePark, following the show’s eight-week run.

The winners of seasons 2-7 of “Rising Star” — known as “HaKochav Haba” in Hebrew — used to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Recent winners, including Nadav Guedj, Hovi Star, Imri Ziv, Netta Barzilai, Kobi Marimi and Eden Alene, all went on to sing for Israel at subsequent Eurovision Song Contests.

With the current season 8, however, the winner no longer represents Israel at Eurovision, but receives money to help develop a music career. Music reality show “X Factor Israel” now has the honor of choosing the Israeli singer representing Israel at the international song contest.

Grinberg has commented on social media that the Keshet reality show is “one of the funnest things I’ve ever done.” One of his entries included a haunting duet of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” with fellow contestant Hamaty.