ELAI BOTNER

Elai Botner is an Israeli artist-creator, songwriter, composer and guitarist, one of the most prominent and diverse creators working today. 

A graduate of the Rimon School of Music, he was born in Kibbutz Ein Carmel in 1978.

Even before his military service, Elai played in a number of bands, including with singer Shmulik Kraus. In the army, he sang in the Air Force Orchestra. After his service, he was one of the founders of the band "Punkenstein". At the same time, he played in the ensemble of musicians of Ivri Lider, Riki Gal and Gali Atari, as well as in the ensemble of musicians of the television program "Kochav Nolad".

He played on numerous albums, including "From the Depths" by "The Idan Raichel Project", "The New People" and "It's Not the Same" by Ivri Lider, "Yom Rodef Yom" by Shmulik Kraus, "Omer Shiro Beshket" by Oshik Levy, and "Remzim" by Rita;  

"Achashvah Zhazat" for Aya Korem's second album, as well as composing a song for Harel Skaat's album.

In August 2007, the album "Shavim" was released, a joint album by Eli and Ran Danker. 

Eli first wrote and composed all the songs on the album, and then looked for a singer to perform them. The singles that were released became instant hits: "Shavim", "Boai Na'ezov", "Hakol Mechter Auch", "Ma Shala Sfakati Lumar" and "Ani Esh". In the annual charts of Reshet G and Galgalatz, and in the Children's Channel Awards ceremony for 2008, "Shvim" was chosen as the "Group of the Year". At the AMI ceremony (Music Channel Awards), "Shvim" was awarded the title of "Discovery of the Year" and their song "Boai Na'ezov" was awarded the title of "Song of the Year". In 2008, the group "Shvim" went on a successful tour throughout the country.

In the annual charts of Reshet G and Galgalatz, and in the Children's Channel Awards ceremony for 2008, "Shvim" was chosen as the "Group of the Year". 

At the AMI ceremony (Music Channel Awards), "Shavim" was awarded the title of "Discovery of the Year" and their song "Boai Na'ezov" was awarded the title of "Song of the Year". 

In 2008, the group "Shavim" went on a successful tour throughout the country.

In 2009, Elai won the ACUM Award for encouraging the publication of the work of a composer. 

In 2010, the album "Elai Botner" was released, which included 11 songs that he wrote and composed, performed by various singers. 

The album was musically produced by Ariel Keshet, and among the singers singing on the album are Rita, Kobi Afello, Gali Atari, the suburbs, Nurit Galron, Ran Danker, Mosh Ben Ari, Erez Halevi, Kfir Ben Laish and Anat Ben Hamo. Four of the songs are also performed on the album in an instrumental version, with Elai playing the guitar. 

The singles that were released were successful and praised and became hits: "Letter to My Brother" performed by Kobi Aflalo, "Kol Zichron Khozer" performed by Rita and "Yamim Shel Kayitz" performed by Kfir Ben Laish.

Four of the songs are also performed on the album in an instrumental version, with Elai playing the guitar. The singles that were released were successful and praised and became hits: "Letter to My Brother" performed by Kobi Aflalo, "Kol Zichron Khozor" performed by Rita and "Yamim Shel Kayitz" performed by Kfir Ben Laish. 

Throughout 2012, the group released four singles: "Retz Elayech", "Titon Li Yad", "Tam Vela Neshlam" and "Na'im Acha'im", all of which were written and composed by Elai 

These songs were very successful on the various song charts, and led to the group winning the title of "Discovery of the Year" in the annual Reshet G song chart for 2012.

In January 2013, the group's debut album, "Tam Velo Nishlam", was released, with the musical production of the duo Guy Mentesh and Yahel Doron.

In March 2015, the double album "Words, Melody, Guitars: Elai Botner" was released. One CD of the album included the band's new songs as well as a collection of songs from Butner's previous albums, and the second CD included a live performance by "Elai Botner and the Foreign Children".

In December 2016, two additional singers were added to the band - Tom Gefen and Gal Lugassi.

These days, Elai Botner and the Foreign Children perform all over the country, in front of appreciative audiences who come again and again and fill the halls.