Yaakov Chesed
| Yaakov Chesed | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Long Island, New York |
| Genres | Jewish rock, alternative rock |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | Sameach, CD Baby |
| Associated acts | Aryeh Kunstler |
| Website | yaakovchesed |
| Members | Jake Polansky Michael Shapiro Aryeh Kunstler Michael Moskowitz |
| Past members | Dovi Salamon Ben Wallick |
Yaakov Chesed is an American Orthodox Jewish rock band from Long Island, New York. Formed in 2006, the group won Battle of the Bands competitions at Yeshiva University and Lander College before recording two studio albums, Rise Above (2007) and The Passage (2009). The band's name is a quote from the Uva letzion prayer in Shacharit.
Band history
Yaakov Chesed formed in the summer of 2006 with lead singer Jake Polansky, guitarist Michael Shapiro, bassist Dovi Salamon, and drummer Michael Moskowitz. They would often meet at Polansky's house for rehearsals on Motza'ei Shabbat.[1] After Salamon left to attend Yeshivat Sha'alvim, Aryeh Kunstler was chosen to replace him as bassist.
In March 2007, the band co-headlined a Purim concert at the Knitting Factory.[2] That same year, they won Lander College and Yeshiva University's Battle of the Bands contests[3] and gave an NCSY-sponsored Sukkot concert in Savannah, Georgia.[4] Their debut album, Rise Above, was produced by Jake Antelis and released on December 11, 2007 by Sameach Music.
The band performed at the 2008 Celebrate Israel Parade's Summer Stage in Central Park alongside the Piamenta Band, among others.[5]
Their second album, The Passage, co-produced by Kunstler and Antelis, was released by Sameach on November 30, 2009.
On May 16, 2010, the band was recruited to play at the bat mitzvah of Alix Klein at Temple Beth Shmuel in Miami Beach. Per Klein's request, the concert benefited ALYN Hospital in Jerusalem.[6]
In 2013, Kunstler and Polansky, along with The Maccabeats' Immanuel Shalev and recording artist Simcha Leiner, were judges at V'Ata Banim Shiru, an annual a capella competition at Torah Academy of Bergen County that benefits the Koby Mandell Foundation.[7]
Band members
- Jake Polansky – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Michael Shapiro – lead guitar
- Aryeh Kunstler – bass guitar, vocals
- Michael Moskowitz – drums
- Former
- Dovi Salamon – bass guitar
- Ben Wallick – bass guitar
- Touring
- Rami Glatt – keyboards
Discography
- Rise Above (December 11, 2007; Sameach)
- The Passage (November 30, 2009; Sameach)
References
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