Jewish rock

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Jewish rock is a form of contemporary Jewish religious music that is influenced by various forms of secular rock music. Pioneered by contemporary folk artists like Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and the Diaspora Yeshiva Band, the genre gained popularity in the 1990s and 2000s with bands like Soulfarm, Blue Fringe, and Moshav Band that appealed to teens and college students, while artists like Matisyahu enjoyed mainstream crossover success.

Contents

History

Origins in America and Israel: 1960s to 1980s

Yosi Piamenta is credited with introducing the electric guitar to Jewish music. Yossi Piamenta in Jerusalem's Old City.JPG
Yosi Piamenta is credited with introducing the electric guitar to Jewish music.

As early as the 1960s, established Jewish composers like Gershon Kingsley and Cantor Ray Smolover began using contemporary rock and jazz styles in their work. [1] Simultaneously, Shlomo Carlebach, a German-born Hasidic rabbi and songwriter, began his career mixing traditional Jewish songs with the folk music and hippie subculture of the day for kiruv purposes, which would directly influence many Jewish artists over the course of his career. [2]

One of the first full-fledged rock acts in Orthodox music was the Diaspora Yeshiva Band, founded in 1975 by American-born students at the Diaspora Yeshiva in Jerusalem, which had been founded by a colleague of Carlebach's. [3] The founding lineup featured Avraham Rosenblum on guitar, Ben Zion Solomon on fiddle and banjo, Simcha Abramson on saxophone and clarinet, Ruby Harris on violin, mandolin, guitar, and harmonica, Adam Wexler on bass, and Gedalia Goldstein on drums. [4] They played rock and bluegrass music with Jewish-themed lyrics, with the group self-describing its style as "Hasidic rock" [5] and "Country and Eastern". [6] [7]

The Israeli group Tofa'ah emerged in 1981 as the first all-female Orthodox Jewish rock band, playing a mix of blues, jazz, and rock and roll. [8] Around the same time, singer-songwriter Yosi Piamenta, a baal teshuva who had previously played with jazz legend Stan Getz, broke into Jewish music, where he pioneered the use of electric guitar. [9] In the United States, Shlock Rock, formed in New York City in 1985, performed Jewish parody versions of many popular American songs, including rock music.

1990s

Dan nichols.jpg
RebbeSoul.jpg
Jewish rock singer-songwriters like Dan Nichols, and RebbeSoul gained popularity in the 1990s.

A new wave of influential Jewish rock bands emerged from Israel in the 1990s, many of them directly influenced by Carlebach. A forerunner of these was Reva L'Sheva, which was formed in 1994 by lead singer Yehuda Katz and bassist Adam Wexler, formerly of Diaspora Yeshiva Band, and which combined Carlebach's music and philosophy with the jam band stylings of The Grateful Dead. [10] In a similar vein were the groups Moshav and Soulfarm, both formed by sons of DYB's Ben Zion Solomon who had grown up with Carlebach in the village of Mevo Modi'im. [7] [11]

Meanwhile, in New York, avant-garde jazz composer John Zorn, a longtime fixture of the local downtown music scene, began exploring his Jewish heritage through music, incorporating klezmer and the Phrygian dominant scale into his established style. [12] [13] [14] This resulted in several projects, including the Masada albums/songboooks and Zorn's own Tzadik Records, which promoted several experimental Jewish artists through its Radical Jewish Culture series.

The decade also saw the premiere of several rock-influenced Jewish singer-songwriters, including Craig Taubman, Sam Glaser, Dan Nichols, Rick Recht, and RebbeSoul.

2000s

A significant Jewish rock band of the early 2000s was Blue Fringe. Formed in 2001 by Yeshiva University student Dov Rosenblatt, the band introduced to Jewish music a pop rock sound influenced by Coldplay, Radiohead, and The Beatles. Their debut album, My Awakening , sold upwards of 14,000 copies, a rare feat in the Jewish market, and the Jewish Journal credited them, along with Soulfarm and Moshav Band, with "advancing Jewish rock". [15] [16] Meanwhile, mainstream crossover success was achieved by Hasidic reggae fusion artist Matisyahu, whose debut single, "King Without a Crown", entered the Hot 100, [17] while his album, Youth , released in 2006 by JDub Records, reached number 4 on the Billboard 200, was certified gold by the RIAA, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. [18] [19] [20]

The new millennium also saw Jewish rock bands emerge outside of New York and Israel, such as the Australian Yidcore, the British Oi Va Voi, the Canadian Black Ox Orkestar, and the Turkish Sefarad. Harder-edged alternative sounds began to appear, with grunge bands like Hamakor and Heedoosh and Jewish punk acts like Yidcore, Golem, Moshiach Oi!, The Shondes, Schmekel, The Groggers, Steve Lieberman, and Rav Shmuel.

Zusha, a successful Jewish rock band of the 2010s. Zusha live 5-23-2019.jpg
Zusha, a successful Jewish rock band of the 2010s.

2010s

In 2010, Rick Recht founded the online radio station Jewish Rock Radio, with the intent of promoting other Jewish rock artists. [21]

A number of Hasidic rock bands became known in the new decade, including the Moshe Hecht Band, 8th Day, Bulletproof Stockings, and Zusha, with the latter group's self-titled EP reaching No. 9 on Billboard 's World Albums chart. [22] Elsewhere, Blue Fringe's Dov Rosenblatt and Moshav Band's Duvid Swirsky co-formed the Los Angeles indie pop band Distant Cousins, whose music has appeared in several films, commercials, and television shows. [23] [24]

Notable artists

See also

Related Research Articles

Moshav, formerly known as Moshav Band, is an Israeli-American Jewish rock band originating from Moshav Mevo Modi'im. Founded in 1996 by Yehuda Solomon and Duvid Swirsky, the group moved to Los Angeles in 2008 and have released ten studio albums. With a sound incorporating elements of alternative rock, folk, funk, and reggae, they were credited, alongside Soulfarm and Blue Fringe, with advancing Jewish rock in the early 2000s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matisyahu</span> American musician

Matthew Paul Miller, known by his stage name Matisyahu, is an American reggae singer, rapper, beatboxer, and musician.

For the purposes of this article, “contemporary” refers to the period from 1967 to the present day, “Jewish” refers to the various streams and traits of Judaism practiced. Many Orthodox Jews use the term “religious” to refer to a strict adherence to Jewish law. For the purposes of this article, “religious” refers to the content and context of the music itself: liturgical or implicit references to the divine.

Blue Fringe was an American Jewish rock band from New York City. Formed in 2001 by lead singer Dov Rosenblatt, the band's debut album, My Awakening (2003), sold more than 14,000 copies, an uncommon feat in the limited Jewish market, and became a runaway hit. Since then, the band has released two more albums, 70 Faces (2005) and The Whole World Lit Up (2007), and has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Africa, and Israel. They were credited, along with Moshav and Soulfarm, with advancing Jewish rock in the early 2000s.

Reva L'Sheva was an Israeli Jewish rock band formed in 1994 by lead singer Yehudah Katz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yosi Piamenta</span> Orthodox Jewish musician

Yosi Piamenta was an Orthodox Jewish singer-songwriter and guitarist, known for introducing the electric guitar to Jewish music. Piamenta played rock and roll tunes, often infused with heavy rock licks and extended guitar solos – all while dressed in Orthodox Jewish religious clothing and singing Biblical Hebrew lyrics. Piamenta was widely acknowledged by rock critics as a guitar virtuoso.

The Diaspora Yeshiva Band was an American-Israeli Orthodox Jewish rock band founded at the Diaspora Yeshiva on Mount Zion, Jerusalem, by baal teshuva students from the United States. In existence from 1975 to 1983, the band infused rock and bluegrass music with Jewish lyrics, creating a style of music it called "Chassidic rock" or "Country and Eastern". The band had an international following, having become famous after winning three Israel Chassidic Festivals, in 1977, 1978, and 1980 and produced many hit songs. They were very popular with Jewish Youth Groups and tourists in the early to mid-1980s, and became very well known in Jerusalem for their Saturday-night concerts at King David Tomb. DYB had a considerable influence on contemporary Jewish religious music, inspiring later bands such as Blue Fringe, 8th Day, Reva L'Sheva, Soulfarm, the Moshav Band, and Shlock Rock. Fifteen years after it disbanded, band leader Avraham Rosenblum revived the band under the name Avraham Rosenblum & Diaspora and produced several more albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zusha (band)</span> American Hasidic folk/soul band

Zusha is a musical duo blending electronic dance music with their traditional Jewish heritage.

Hamakor was an Israeli Jewish rock band from Mevo Modi'im. They were formed in 2006 by lead singer Nachman Solomon and released two albums, The Source (2007) and World On Its Side (2010). The group's fluctuating lineup at different times included musicians like Bruce Burger, Chemy Soibelman, and Mendy Portnoy, and members would go on to participate in groups like G-Nome Project, Shlomit & RebbeSoul, and Zusha.

Tofa'ah is an Israeli Jewish rock band formed in Jerusalem in 1981. They are notable for being the first known all-female Orthodox Jewish rock band, preceding later groups like Ashira and Bulletproof Stockings. They have released eight albums since 1984.

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Orthodox pop, sometimes called Hasidic pop, Hasidic rock, K-pop, Haredi pop, and Ortho-pop, is a form of contemporary Jewish religious music popular among Orthodox Jews. It typically draws stylistically from contemporary genres like pop, rock, jazz, and dance music, while incorporating text from Jewish prayer, Torah, and Talmud as well as traditional Jewish songs and occasional original English lyrics with themes of faith and positivity. The genre was pioneered in the 1970s by artists like Mordechai Ben David and the Miami Boys Choir, who incorporated secular pop and dance influences into their music in contrast to the more traditional Jewish music of the time, and has had continued success in the modern era with singers like Yaakov Shwekey, Lipa Schmeltzer, Baruch Levine, and Benny Friedman.

Adam Wexler is an American-Israeli musician, best known as the bassist for influential Jewish rock groups Diaspora Yeshiva Band and Reva L'Sheva.

Ben Zion Solomon is an American-born Israeli musician, best known as a founding member of the seminal Jewish rock group Diaspora Yeshiva Band, for whom he played fiddle and banjo from 1975 to 1983. A disciple of Shlomo Carlebach, Solomon and his family were among the first residents of Carlebach's moshav, Mevo Modi'im. His sons later founded the bands Moshav, Soulfarm, and Hamakor.

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Rogers Park is an American Hasidic folk rock duo from Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 2011 by childhood friends Yosef Peysin and Mordy Kurtz, the group is named after the Chicago neighborhood where they grew up. Their debut album, The Maggid, was released on January 19, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duvid Swirsky</span> Israeli-American musician

Duvid Swirsky is an Israeli-American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and composer. He is best known as the guitarist, co-vocalist, and founding member of the Jewish rock band Moshav. He has also performed with the folk rock bands Skyland and Distant Cousins.

Yehudah Katz is an American-born Israeli singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, and activist. He first rose to fame as the lead singer of seminal Jewish rock band Reva L'Sheva. As a solo artist, he has released three albums and performed with prominent Israeli singers like Ehud Banai and Kobi Oz. He is also the founder of the non-profit organization Artists and Musicians for Israel (AMI).

Yehuda Solomon is an Israeli-American singer, songwriter, and hazzan. He is the lead singer and co-founder of the band Moshav, which heavily influenced Jewish rock in the late '90s. He is the son of Diaspora Yeshiva Band member Ben Zion Solomon, while his siblings include Noah Solomon of Soulfarm.

Noah Solomon Chase is an Israeli–American musician, best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and mandolinist for the Jewish rock band Soulfarm.

References

  1. ↑ Schiller, Benjie-Ellen. “The Hymnal as an Index of Musical Change in Reform Synagogues.” Sacred Sound and Social Change, Lawrence A. Hoffman and Janet R. Walton. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1992: 187-212.
  2. ↑ Daniel Freelander; Jeff Klepper (Jan 20, 1978). "Jewish rock: music for a new generation" (PDF). Berman Jewish Policy Archive . Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  3. ↑ Besser, Yisroel. "We All Get Another Chance". Mishpacha , March 12, 2014, pp. 48-58.
  4. ↑ Harris, Ruby. "The Diaspora Yeshiva Band's impact on Jewish Music". Jewish Magazine. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  5. ↑ Tilbury, Neil (1989). Israel, a travel survival kit. Lonely Planet. p. 193. ISBN   0864420153.
  6. ↑ "Biography". Diaspora Yeshiva Band. 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  7. 1 2 Gelfand, Alexander (8 May 2008). "A Jewish Pop Band Worth the Wait". The Forward . Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  8. ↑ Lichtenstein, Josh (June 8, 2009). "All-women religious band Tofa'ah still rockin'". Ynetnews . Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  9. ↑ Ginzberg, Binyomin (August 24, 2015). "Yosi Piamenta, a Virtuoso Guitarist Who Reshaped Jewish Music". The Forward . Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  10. ↑ Brinn, David (Jan 1, 2014). "Reva L'Sheva's seven-year itch". The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  11. ↑ Yudelson, Larry (Nov 7, 2014). "You gotta have soul". Jewish Standard . Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  12. ↑ Paeles, J. Old and New in a Jewish Festival, NY Times, December 20, 1995.
  13. ↑ Yaffe, D. Learning to Reed, New York Nightlife, April 5, 1999.
  14. ↑ Kaplan, F. John Zorn's Joyful Jazz, Slate, October 3, 2003.
  15. ↑ Leibovitz, Liel (July 2005). "Rock Of Ages". The Jewish Week . Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved 8 Aug 2013.
  16. ↑ Finnigan, David (April 22, 2004). "The New Color of Rock". The Jewish Journal . Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  17. ↑ "Matisyahu". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  18. ↑ "Juvenile Matisyahu Make Noise On Charts| E! Online". Ca.eonline.com. 2006-03-15. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  19. ↑ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  20. ↑ "49th Annual Grammy Awards Winners List". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  21. ↑ Rabbi Jason Miller (Nov 16, 2010). "Jewish Rock Gets Internet Radio Channel". The Jewish Week . Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "World Albums - Week of November 15, 2014". Billboard . 2 January 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  23. ↑ Artsy, Avishay (Oct 22, 2014). "Distant Cousins find family in music". The Jewish Journal . Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  24. ↑ Fattal, Isabel (Sep 19, 2014). "Spotlight On: Indie-Folk Trio Distant Cousins". Jewcy . Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
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