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Yehezkel Zion, born in Jerusalem, is of Iraqi descent and comes from a very musically talented Baghdad family. His father was a singer and drummer and his siblings, all living in Israel, practice musical traditions, too. In 1990 Mr. Zion moved with his family to become the cantor (hazan) at Beth Torah Synagogue, a large Syrian Jewish congregation on Ocean Parkway. Numerous people from the congregation had heard him when they were visiting in Israel and asked him to come here. Cantor Zion has no formal music training but he has a very good “ear,” and easily learned in the traditional way by listening to Syrian singers to gain expertise in a range of religious music practices. For example, in Jerusalem it is the custom of Syrians to meet at temple every Saturday morning in winter from 3:00-7:00a.m. to sing praises. Cantor Zion used to attend these sessions, learning more from week to week. Now he is a master singer who has made 30 CD’s. His two sons, Eli and David both have beautiful voices and often sing with their father. Cantor Zion has recently founded IJConnections.com, a placement service for cantors worldwide. For Brooklyn Maqam, Cantor Zion is performing in the pizmonim song tradition, which comprises liturgical prayers in Hebrew set to popular Arab music.
Cantor Yehezkel Zion
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Folk / Traditional Arts, Music, Traditional / Culturally SpecificSee Also...
