Ben Zion Solomon
| Ben Zion Solomon | |
|---|---|
| Genres | Jewish rock, folk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, musicologist |
| Instruments | Vocals, violin, banjo, mandolin, guitar, trumpet |
| Years active | 1975-present |
| Associated acts | Diaspora Yeshiva Band, Shlomo Carlebach, Ben Zion Solomon and Sons |
Ben Zion Solomon is an American-Israeli musician, best known as a founding member of the seminal Jewish rock group Diaspora Yeshiva Band.
Career
Originally from Northern California, Solomon received a master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Music, and played in several bluegrass bands.
While living in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury in the early 1970s, Solomon attended gatherings at The House of Love and Prayer. There, he met the shul's founder, Rabbbi Shlomo Carlebach, who convinced him to move to Israel.[1]
In 1975, Solomon co-formed the Diaspora Yeshiva Band with fellow musicians Avraham Rosenblum, Simcha Abramson, Ruby Harris, Adam Wexler, and Gedalia Goldstein. Playing a mix of rock and bluegrass with Jewish lyrics, the group was highly influential in Jewish music and recorded six albums before disbanding in 1983.
Solomon and his family were among the first to settle in Mevo Modi'im, the Israeli moshav founded by Carlebach in 1976. His sons performed with him from a young age, usually as Ben Zion Solomon and Sons. In 1998, they played alongside Reva L'Sheva at the Binyanei HaUmah to commemorate Carlebach's fourth yartzheit.[2]
Several of Solomon's sons have become prominent Jewish musicians: Noah Solomon co-founded Soulfarm with C Lanzbom; Yehuda, Yosef, and Meir Solomon formed the Moshav Band with Duvid Swirsky; and Nachman Solomon formed Hamakor. Nachman, Yosef, and Sruli Solomon also perform together as the Solomon Brothers Band.
Discography
Solo albums
- Now and Then (2013)
With Diaspora Yeshiva Band
- The Diaspora Yeshiva Band (1976)
- Melave Malka with the Diaspora Yeshiva Band (1977)
- At the Gate of Return (1978)
- Live From King David's Tomb (1980)
- Land of Our Fathers (1981)
- Diaspora Live on Mt. Zion (1982)
- Live at Carnegie Hall (1992)
- The Diaspora Collection (2000)
With Shlomo Carlebach
- Nachamu Nachamu Ami (1983) (producer, mandolin, violin)
With Ben Zion Solomon and Sons
- Give Me Harmony: Songs of R' Shlomo Carlebach (1996)
- L'Chu N'ran'noh (2000)
- Nishmas Kol Chai (2002)
Breslov albums and songbooks
Solomon has produced and performed on several albums of traditional melodies for the Breslov Research Institute.
- Shabbat - Azamer Bishvochin (vol. 1)
- Shabbat - Asader Lis'udoso (vol. 2)
- Me'eyn Olom Habo
- Plioh
- Kokhvey Boker
- Ashreinu (2007)
- B'Moitso'ei Yoim M'nuchoh (2012)
References
- ↑ Ben Bresky (Nov 14, 2012). "Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach Tribute Concert". Arutz Sheva.
- ↑ Judy Lash Balint (2002). Jerusalem Diaries: In Tense Times. Jerusalem, Israel: Gefen Publishing House. p. 18. ISBN 965-229-271-0.