THE MAN BEHIND THE MUSIC02 / THE STORY
Two homes.
One musical soul.
Moris Janashvili was born in Georgia on April 9, 1960. An Israeli-Georgian singer, songwriter and musician, he is also a producer, businessman and founder of GTV, Israel’s Georgian-language television channel. A prominent figure in the Georgian community in Israel and around the world, he has contributed to the musical culture of Georgian Jewry through a career connecting Georgia, Israel and audiences around the world.
At twelve, Moris learned to play the accordion and piano. He also danced with the Georgia National Dance Company. In 1976, at sixteen, he immigrated to Israel with his mother. He co-founded Kolan in 1982, performing Georgian folk songs primarily at community events. In 1985, he embarked on a solo career and went on to win first place twice at the Georgian Song Festival.
A performance in Georgia in 1989 marked a turning point in his career, bringing invitations to perform in Russia, Europe and the United States. He later founded Champagne Band, which became a leading ensemble for celebrations within the Georgian community in Israel and internationally.
In 2004, Moris established GTV, a Georgian-language Israeli television channel serving the Georgian community in Israel.
On June 26, 2014, Moris launched a concert tour celebrating his new album with a large ensemble at the Tel Aviv Culture Palace. The tour concluded at the Philharmonic Hall in Tbilisi. Following the performance, Georgia’s Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection honoured him with a gold star bearing his name on the capital’s celebrated avenue.
In 2016, he opened Kinto, a kosher Georgian restaurant in Tel Aviv.
