Mordechai Shapiro
Mordechai Shapiro (born 1990) is an American singer, songwriter and entertainer in the Contemporary Jewish religious music industry. He has been described as having the "ability to do things with his voice no one else in this business can" by Jewish music producer Yitzy Waldner.[1]
Mordechai Shapiro | |
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Born | 1990 (age 29–30) Monsey, New York, United States |
Genres | Jewish music |
Years active | 2016–present |
Website | mordechaishapiro |
Biography
Mordechai Shapiro was born in 1990 in Monsey, New York.[2] His father was a chazzan and his mother had a background as a trained opera singer.[2] Growing up in a Modern Orthodox household, he attended Ashar Adolph Schreiber Hebrew Academy for elementary school, and the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy for high school.[2] Following his graduation from high school, Shapiro learned in yeshiva in Yeshiva Netiv Aryeh and Yeshivas Bais Yisroel.[2]
In 2010, Shapiro married Raquel Guenoun.[2]
Career
Shapiro made his musical debut in 1997 as the star soloist of the Miami Boys Choir.[3] As a child, he performed with Jewish entertainers such as Yaakov Shwekey even before he gained significant attention.[4] He left Miami Boys Choir in 2003[5] when his voice became too deep to fit into a children's choir.[6]
After leaving the choir, Shapiro took a break from music until his voice transitioned sufficiently. He was a student of voice teacher William Riley, who also taught Celine Dion and Josh Groban.[6] Eventually, he began performing at weddings and other Jewish events as an independent artist.[5]
Shapiro's solo career debuted in 2016 when he was signed by producer Yitzy Waldner, with the release of his album Kol Haderech, peaking at #15 on the Billboard World Music chart.[7] The album was followed by Machar in 2017, peaking at #3,[7] and Hakol Mishamayim in 2019, peaking at #7.[7]
Shapiro has cited Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson and Michael Bublé as his musical influences.[1]
Discography
- Kol Haderech (2016)
- Machar (2017)
- Hakol Mishamayim (2019)
References
- Maruch Miller, Rochelle (4 October 2017). "Critic's Choice: 'Machar' By Mordechai Shapiro". The 5 Towns Jewish Times. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- Besser, Yisroel (12 March 2019). "We Can All Sing". Mishpacha Magazine. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- "Mordechai Shapiro to Perform at NCSY Gala". NCSY. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- "Mordechai Shapiro Then And Now". Gruntig. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- "Mordechai Shapiro - Kol Haderech". Mostly Music. 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- Jurek, Thom. "Mordechai Shapiro Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- "Mordechai Shapiro". Billboard. Retrieved 9 June 2020.