Sam Glaser

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Sam Glaser


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Background = solo_singer
Birth name =
Born = 1962
Origin = Los Angeles, California, United States
Genre = Jewish music
Occupation = Singer, songwriter, musical director
Instrument = Vocals, piano
Years_active = 1992–present
Label = Glaser Musicworks
URL = [http://www.samglaser.com www.samglaser.com]

Sam Glaser (born 1962) is a popular composer [ [http://www.amazon.com/s?search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=Sam%20Glaser Amazon music profile: Sam Glaser] ] , performer and interpreter of Jewish music. Referred to as one of the top ten Jewish artists in the United States by Moment Magazine [ [cdbaby.com/cd/glasersam CD Baby: Adam Wills - March 2006] ] , he holds a global fifty-city music tour culminating in Israel every year. [cdbaby.com/cd/samglaser2 CD Baby Biogrpahy] ]

He performs annually to over 100,000 people of all agesat such venues as the The Greek Theater, Universal Amphitheatre and Dodger Stadium, and toured cities such as Sydney, London, Hong Kong, and Tel Aviv.

While an Orthodox Jew himself, he holds concerts as well as sings in synagogues of all streams of Judaism, which are Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist.

Personal life

Glaser was born to a Jewish family in Los Angeles, California and started performing at the age of 7. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a B.A. in Business and Minor in Music, and also attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the UCLA Film Scoring Program. Glaser currently lives in Los Angeles in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood with his wife Shira and children Max, Jesse and Sarah.

Career

Music career

Glaser has released seventeen albums, as well as four collections of lyrics and poetry, four musicals, three sheet music songbooks of his Jewish music and an SATB choral book, Kol Haneshama.

He produces his music through his own record company Glaser Musicworks as well as producing scores for film and television. Glaser is also a prolific producer of albums for other recording artists.

Professional career

Glaser served as the Executive Director of the Jewish Music Commission for five years. Glaser also produced the annual American Jewish Song Festival, a song writing competition from 1992 to 2000. In 1995, Glaser was appointed Music Coordinator for the Department of Continuing Education at the University of Judaism where he supervised the music curriculum and directed the Cultural Arts Program. For four years he was the Musical Director at the Yad b'Yad youth theatre as also served as Music Director for the Brandeis-Bardin Institute in Simi Valley, California. Glaser is also involved with the Coalition for Advancement of Jewish Education, and the Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity.

Discography

Albums

* Hineni (1992) including "Hieni," "Shabbas," and "Pitchu Li."
* A Day in the Life (1994) based on the daily cycle of Jewish prayers.
* Across The River (1997) - Songs inspired by major holidays and lifecycle events.
** Promoted this album in an over 50 city global tour (called the One Hand/One Heart tour) in 1998 and 1999.
* Kol Bamidbar/A Musical Journey Through the Five Books of Moses (1999) - Thirteen songs of Jewish history from the stories of the Torah
* The Songs We Sing (2001), a compilation of the most popular contemporary songs from Israel
* The Bridge (2002) - Fifteen original songs focusing on themes themes that unite the Jewish people.
** The album was sponsored by Israel's Common Denominator organization, where the album was played in over 50 unity concerts during 2002 and 2003 where many cities held it with at least three synagogues across denominational lines (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist).
* Presence (2003) based on the themes of the High Holidays
* Edge of Light (2003), a solo piano/voice double CD with pianist Sharone Kushnir.
* Soap Soup (2004) - A secular children's album
** Won the Parent's Choice Recommended award, the National Parenting Publications award, the John Lennon Songwriting Competition and the Children's Music Web trophy.
* Nigun/Voice of the Soul (2006) - Sixteen nigunim (songs without words)
** Co-production with RebbeSoul and Bruce Burger
** Vocals included the Jewish bands, Moshav Band, Soulfarm, Blue Fringe, Gershon Veroba and Beatachon.
* Rockin' Chanukah Revue (2007) - Chanukah album

References

External links

* [http://www.samglaser.com Official website]
* [http://www.aish.com/shabbatsongs/ Aish HaTorah: Shabbat with Aish - Several of his songs in MP3 format]