Moshe Hecht (born 1985 in Queens, New York) is an American Hasidic singer-songwriter and rabbi, best known as the eponymous lead singer of the folk rock group Moshe Hecht Band.
Moshe Hecht | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1985 Queens, New York |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York |
| Genres | Jewish music Folk rock Reggae rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, tech entrepreneur |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Aderet |
| Website | moshehecht |
Biography
editEarly life
editHecht was born in Queens, New York in 1985 to a Hasidic Jewish family, one among 14 children.[1] He is the grandson of prominent Chabad rabbi Chaim Gutnick.[2] He displayed interest in music at an early age, singing in school choirs and even writing a musical for Hanukkah when he was 18. He also began listening to secular musicians like Bob Marley, Simon & Garfunkel, and Bob Dylan, but was often forced to hide their records from his devout friends and family.[1]
After high school, Hecht spent a year in Ukraine doing community service, then 18 months in Melbourne completing his rabbinic ordination.[1]
Musical career
editHecht gained a strong community following in 2008 with the release of his song "Lamplighters", a tribute to the Chabad emissaries killed in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.[3] Building a community following from this and other singles, he formed the Moshe Hecht Band in 2010 with a group of local musicians. The band's debut album, Heart is Alive, was released by Aderet Music on October 18, 2011.
Discography
edit- Heart is Alive (2011)
References
edit- ^ a b c Prafder, Erika (2012). "Soul Music". New York Post. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2013. (As archived on the band's website.)
- ^ "Interview: Talking Music with Moshe Hecht". CrownHeights.info. November 9, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
- ^ Bruck, Shmuel (July 2011). "Diverse and Eclectic Moshe Hecht Releases Single". Algemeiner Journal. Retrieved March 31, 2013.