Azi Schwartz (Hebrew: עזי שוורץ) (born September 1981) is a chazzan (cantor), vocal performer, and recording artist whose music reaches Jewish and interfaith audiences internationally. Born in Israel, he lives in New York City, where he serves as the Senior Cantor of Park Avenue Synagogue.[1] Cantor Schwartz performs concerts internationally and is a teacher of cantorial music.

Education

Before his musical career, Cantor Schwartz attended Yeshivat Har Etzion. He completed his military service as a soloist in the Israeli Defense Forces Rabbinical Troupe.[2] Cantor Schwartz earned his undergraduate degree in Teaching Jewish Philosophy and Jewish Studies from the Herzog College before studying at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. He received his master's degree in Voice in Conducting from Mannes School of Music at The New School. Cantor Schwartz received his cantorial training at Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute,[3] where he studied under Cantor Neftali Hershtik.

Professional accomplishments

Cantor Azi Schwartz has performed at Madison Square Garden, the United Nations, and on Capitol Hill.[4] Cantor Schwartz was featured as a part of a trio on a PBS special titled “Cantors of New York”.[5][6] Cantor Schwartz performed a prayer for the Pope Francis's visit to Ground Zero in 2015.[7] He has performed at Carnegie Hall multiple times, including a duet with tenor Lawrence Brownlee.[8] He played the cantor's role in the film Norman, featuring Richard Gere.[9] His videos are popular on Youtube, with over 16 million views.[10] During the 2020 pandemic, he led services for Park Avenue Synagogue livestream online, transforming Jewish practice by growing the online community of worshippers to hundreds of thousands of viewers.[11]

Style

Cantor Azi Schwartz is known for his virtuosic interpretations of Jewish traditional prayers and Hebrew songs, and mixing Jewish ritual music with contemporary melodies, with an intent of bringing new life to the tradition of Jewish liturgical music. He has gone viral on social media for performing traditional prayers to contemporary melodies, including performing "Adon Olam" to the tune of "You'll be Back" from Hamilton[12] and “For Forever” from Dear Evan Hansen,[13] "L’dor Vador" to “We are the Champions” by Queen,[14] “We are Never Getting back to Egypt to “We are Never Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift,[15] “Etz Chayim” to “As It Was” by Harry Styles,[16] and "Ose Shalom" to the tune of “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.[17]

Personal life

Cantor Azi Schwartz grew up in Israel.[18] He was inspired to become a cantor through his grandfather, who was a cantor in Hungary. He enjoys riding motorcycles as a hobby. He is married to Dr. Noa Schwartz with four children.[19]

Discography

  • Yizkor: Music of Memory and Tribute
  • Haggadah for Young Families
  • Be The Light
  • Siddur for Young Families
  • Havdalah: Live from Jerusalem
  • Heritage: Treasures of Jewish German Composers
  • Moments of Awe: Music of the High Holy Days
  • L’dor Vador
  • Yihyu L’ratzon
  • Mizmor Shir
  • Hadesh Yameinu: New Music at Park Avenue Synagogue
  • Shir Hadash: New Music at Park Avenue Synagogue
  • Ahavat Olam: Jewish Romantic Music
  • Ki Eshmerah Shabbat - Volume 1: Shabbat Morning
  • Mahzor for Young Families: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
  • Youth Machzor 2018
  • Siddur for Youth

[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Azi Schwartz". Park Avenue Synagogue. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  2. ↑ "Officers and Staff". Cantors Assembly. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  3. ↑ "Feeling the full dimensions of prayer". jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  4. ↑ Handwerker, Haim (18 October 2021). "The Ex-settler, Harley-riding Cantor Who's Gracing Park Avenue". Haaretz. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  5. ↑ Press Release: "THE NEW YORK CANTORS Premieres March 2018 on PBS". PBS
  6. ↑ Leichman, Abigail Klein. "'New York Cantors'". jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  7. ↑ "The Pope and the Cantor at Ground Zero". WOSU News. 2015-09-28. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  8. ↑ Azi Schwartz and Lawrence Brownlee at Carnegie Hall, retrieved 2021-07-06
  9. ↑ "Azi Schwartz". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  10. ↑ "Azi Schwartz - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  11. ↑ Oleisky, Jonathan; Partner, Jmore Managing (2021-06-25). "Park Avenue Synagogue Offers Virtual Prototype for Shuls". JMORE. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  12. ↑ "Adon Olam to the tune of Hamilton song". jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  13. ↑ "Adon Olam" sung to the tune of "For Forever" from Dear Evan Hansen, retrieved 2021-07-06
  14. ↑ L'dor Vador to We Are The Champions, retrieved 2023-07-06
  15. ↑ We Are Never Ever Getting Back to... Egypt! (Taylor Swift Cover by Cantor Azi Schwartz), retrieved 2023-07-06
  16. ↑ As It Was (Harry Styles) - A Grammy-Winner in a Synagogue, retrieved 2023-07-06
  17. ↑ Ose Shalom - Shallow, retrieved 2021-07-06
  18. ↑ Handwerker, Haim (18 October 2021). "The Ex-settler, Harley-riding Cantor Who's Gracing Park Avenue". Haaretz. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  19. ↑ Handwerker, Haim (18 October 2021). "The Ex-settler, Harley-riding Cantor Who's Gracing Park Avenue". Haaretz. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  20. ↑ "Music by Cantor Azi Schwartz". Cantor Azi Schwartz. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
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