Yehuda Solomon

Yehuda Solomon (Hebrew: ייהודא סולומונ; born June 20, 1977) 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.

Yehuda Solomon
Born (1977-06-20) June 20, 1977
Mevo Modi'im, Israel
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresJewish rock, folk rock, Israeli music
Instrument(s)Vocals, percussion
Years active1995–present
Websitemoshavband.com

Early life

Solomon was born and raised in Mevo Modi'im, an Israeli moshav founded by musician and spiritual leader Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, who was a regular fixture in the village.[1][2][3] His father is Ben Zion Solomon, a founding member of the Diaspora Yeshiva Band, while his brothers include Soulfarm's Noah Solomon, Hamakor's Nachman Solomon, and future Moshav bandmates Yosef and Meir Solomon.[4][5]

Career

Moshav
Main article: Moshav (band)

Solomon played together with his neighbor Duvid Swirsky from a young age, and the two formed the Moshav Band in 1996. They have released ten albums since 1998 and have been credited, alongside Blue Fringe and Soulfarm, with pioneering a new movement of Jewish rock in the 1990s.[6]

Other activities

Since moving to Los Angeles, Solomon has been the chazzan and prayer leader at the Happy Minyan, one of the largest Carlebach minyanim in the country.[1]

He has worked several times with Jewish reggae singer Matisyahu; while Solomon provided Hebrew vocals on Matisyahu's song "Two Child One Drop" from his Shattered EP (2008).[7] In 2016, Solomon and Jewish rapper Kosha Dillz made a surprise appearance on stage during a Matisyahu concert at the Wiltern Theatre.[8]

He was one of the judges on the fourth season of A Jewish Star, a YouTube-based reality singing competition for Jewish singers. His fellow judges included Gad Elbaz, Lipa Schmeltzer, Yossi Green, and Yeedle Werdyger.[9][10]

Artistry

Solomon's vocal style combines aspects of cantorial chanting, Mizrahi music, and grunge, often being compared to Eddie Vedder.[11][12]

Personal life

Solomon lives in Los Angeles with his wife and children,[2] having moved there in 2000.[11]

Discography

With Moshav
Main article: Moshav (band) § Discography
  • The Things You Can't Afford (1998)
  • Days (1999)
  • Lost Time (2002)
  • Return Again (2004)
  • Malachim (2005)
  • The Best of Moshav Band: Higher and Higher (2005)
  • Misplaced (2006)
  • Dancing in a Dangerous World (2010)
  • New Sun Rising (2013)
  • Shabbat Vol. 1 (2014)
  • Shabbat Vol. 2 (2018)

Other credits
  • Ben Zion Solomon and Sons, Give Me Harmony: The Songs of Shlomo Carlebach (1996) – vocals
  • Yaniv, Bakhol (2003) – choir/chorus
  • Matisyahu, Shattered EP (2008) – vocals on "Two Child One Drop"
  • Peter Himmelman, The Mystery and the Hum (2010) – background vocals
  • Various Artists, A Cappella Treasury: Shabbos (2010) – primary artist on "Carlebach's V'Shomru"
  • Hamakor, World On Its Side (2010) – background vocals on "Memories"
  • Matisyahu, Live at Stubb's, Vol. 2 (2011) – guest artist, vocals, shofar
  • Naftali Kalfa, The Naftali Kalfa Project (2013) – vocals with Gad Elbaz on "I Will Be"
  • Diwon, Gonna Light EP (2013) – guest vocals ("Sivivon")

References
  1. Klug, Lisa Alcalay (February 8, 2012). "For traditional musicians, alternatives to the Friday night concert abound". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  2. Sackett, Shelley A. (March 13, 2015). "Moshav: You Can Go Home Again". The Jewish Journal. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  3. Salisbury, Greg (August 16, 2012). "A Helping Band". The Jewish Exponent. Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  4. Roth, Paula (June 26, 2008). "The source of häMAKOR -- it's all in the family". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  5. Brinn, David (January 1, 2014). "Reva L'Sheva's seven-year itch". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  6. Finnigan, David (April 22, 2004). "The New Color of Rock". Jewish Journal. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  7. Matthue Roth (November 20, 2008). "Out of the Extraordinary". Tablet.
  8. Ryan Torok (March 3, 2016). "Matisyahu makes the old new again at the Wiltern Theatre". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.
  9. Louie Lazar (August 6, 2013). "Orthodox Singers With a Dream Get Their Own American Idol-style Reality Show". Tablet.
  10. Chana Ya'ar (January 27, 2013). "A Jewish Star: Vocalist Reality Show Contest for Jewish Talent". Arutz Sheva.
  11. Haskel, Adam (December 29, 2022). "Why Yehuda Solomon might be the most unusual singer in Jewish music". Jewish News Syndicate. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  12. Moshav Band - Misplaced Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved January 1, 2023
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