Singer Noga Ritter Releases Inspirational Song + Video ‘Ima’ (Mother) Celebrating Womankind on International Women’s Day 8th March 2023!

Noga Ritter is an exciting singer-songwriter poised to release the title track single ‘Ima’ from her 2023 debut album. 'Ima' is a celebration of the creativity and power of womankind. As a much-loved and respected London-based eclectic jazz singer, Noga’s upbeat global grooves have sold out recent London shows including a performance as part of the 2022 EFG London Jazz Festival and the first Jewish fringe festival in London, Tsitsit. Translating from Hebrew as ‘mother’, ‘Ima’ is beautifully enhanced by the sounds of the African kora as performed by Senegalese star kora player, Seckou Keita. ‘Ima’ is being released on International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2023 through Galileo Music. 

Mother & Daughter ‘Ima’ is a very special and personal song for Noga who wrote both the music and lyrics for her mother, Michal Ritter’s 60th birthday. Michal was a super creative woman who worked professionally as a Feldenkrais therapist for many years. Due to unforeseen and a very unfortunate turn of events, in her 61st year Michal Ritter was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in Israel in March 2022. At the time Noga was completing work on her debut album, IMA. One of their last conversations gave Noga the strength to continue work with her album and create an exceptional video for ‘Ima.’

The Leviot Project Is Born. In her last months, Michal Ritter turned her Feldenkrais therapy studio into an art studio and had 3 art classes a week, 2 belly dancing classes dedicating herself fully to art, during her life she had focused on taking care of others. In a poignant conversation, Noga asked her mother what she would do if she was able to heal herself, to which Michal answered that she would create art, movement and dance meetings for women where they could share thoughts and insights exploring them through art, movement and dance. She would call this group Leviot which is Hebrew for ‘lioness.’

Fulfilling Michal’s legacy, Noga and her sister, Ossi Ritter created the first Leviot group residency at their parents’ house in Haifa in November, 2022. They invited 5 incredible women from West African and Afro Brazilian dance groups in London whose roots spanned from Brazil, Germany, Chile, Caribbean, Guinea, Yemen, Israel and the UK. Exploring the themes Michal Ritter spoke of towards the end of her life, the Leviot Project ended filming the music video for Noga Ritter’s single ‘Ima’ dedicated to her mother. The women in the video ‘Ima’ are the lionesses of the Leviot Project. 

As Noga says, “This song ‘Ima’ celebrates women, mothers as the creators of life, infinite love and creativity. Featuring Seckou Keita's unique kora sound on this song really brings to life the blessing I wished for all women to fly high and express their full creative power. Dedicated to my mother, Michal Ritter, who passed away from cancer in Spring 2022, this song is a tribute song with a wider message of empowerment and inspiration for women to express their creative voices and celebrate their art.”

Noga Ritter’s new single ‘Ima’, video and album IMA was made possible by an Arts Council England Project Grant (national lottery fund), Help Musicians UK and by a crowdfunding campaign. The single + video ‘Ima’ is releasing on 8th March 2023 through Galileo Music ahead of Noga Ritter’s debut album, IMA, scheduled for international release on 12th May 2023. 

You are invited to watch the official video for 'Ima' by Noga Ritter featuring Leviot Collective: 'Ima'

‘Ima’ The Single Information

Artist: Noga Ritter
Label: Galileo Music
Digital Single: Ima (Mother) from the May 2023 album IMA
Language of Song: Hebrew

Special Note: ‘Ima’ features Senegalese kora player, Seckou Keita
Release Date: March 8, 2023 

Artist website for further information