Yehuda Solomon (born June 20, 1977, Mevo Modi'im, Israel) 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 | June 20, 1977 Mevo Modi'im, Israel |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Jewish rock, folk rock, Israeli music |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, percussion |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Website | moshavband |
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
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.
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).[6] In 2016, Solomon and Jewish rapper Kosha Dillz made a surprise appearance on stage during a Matisyahu concert at the Wiltern Theatre.[7]
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.[8][9]
Personal life
Solomon lives in Los Angeles with his wife and children.[2]
Discography
With Moshav
- 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
- ^ a b Klug, Lisa Alcalay (Feb 8, 2012). "For traditional musicians, alternatives to the Friday night concert abound". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ a b Shelley A. Sackett (March 2015). "Moshav: You Can Go Home Again". The Jewish Journal.
- ^ Salisbury, Greg (Aug 16, 2012). "A Helping Band". The Jewish Exponent. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ Roth, Paula (Jun 26, 2008). "The source of häMAKOR -- it's all in the family". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ Brinn, David (Jan 1, 2014). "Reva L'Sheva's seven-year itch". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- ^ Matthue Roth (Nov 20, 2008). "Out of the Extraordinary". Tablet.
- ^ Ryan Torok (March 3, 2016). "Matisyahu makes the old new again at the Wiltern Theatre". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.
- ^ Louie Lazar (Aug 6, 2013). "Orthodox Singers With a Dream Get Their Own American Idol-style Reality Show". Tablet.
- ^ Chana Ya'ar (Jan 27, 2013). "A Jewish Star: Vocalist Reality Show Contest for Jewish Talent". Arutz Sheva.