Bios

Sol Zim is a man with a mission...to spread the joy of jewish music & culture throughout the world, to adults and children alike. It has been said that "When music comes from the heart, it goes to the heart". This exemplifies Sol Zim. Born performer, magnetic, electrifying, inspirational and captivating; these are just a few of the words that are used by critics in describing Sol Zim. Being on of the most dynamic and innovative personalities in Jewish Music today, Sol truly is "America’s Superstar of Jewish Music".

Zim's music is the bridge that links the Jewish people from dor l'dor (Generation to Generation).  Sol Zim has been the voice that captivates peoples' attention and respect. His unique style brings together the beauty and nostalgia of traditional music of yesteryear with the sounds of  "New Age" and when combined,  evokes a tremendous spark. Zim concertizes throughout the world bringing his message of Jewish Musical Culture to all.  His music spreads joy, stimulates enthusiasm, inspires emotion and will ultimately ensure the survival of Jewish Musical Culture and  Jewish Unity for generations to come.  By highlighting a children’s choir in most of  his concert performances, Zim is the Pioneer responsible for the formation of hundreds of "Youth Choruses" in Synagogues and schools throughout the world.  After all, Sol says;  "Children are our Future – today's Jewish children are tomorrow’'s Jewish leaders"

Sol is a graduate of Yeshivah University H.S., the Jewish Theological Seminary Cantorial Institute,
Brooklyn college (ba), and New York University (ma), and is a recipient of his doctorate of music, honoris, causa, from the Jewish Theological Seminary, as well as the Max Wohlberg Award for composition from the cantor’s assembly. Sol studied voice with Kurt Baum as well as twenty operatic roles with Julius Rudel and other great operatic coaches of the NY Metropolitan Opera Company and performed all of these roles on stage. To develop his cantorial art/technique and to fine-tune his artistry of jewish song, he studied privately with cantor Moshe Koussevitsky and Shalom Secunda. Sol was offered contracts with the Vienna State Opera Theatre and the Israeli Opera Company, however, after contemplating what was most important to him, he decided to devote his life to the furtherance of jewish music which had been his passionate mission.

Sol Zim is a world renowned master cantor, composer, songwriter, recording artist, concert performer, educator/professor and lecturer. He has been awarded a lifetime contract, as cantor, at the Hollis Hills Jewish Center of Queens, NY. In addition to Sol’s passion for writing jewish music, he is also dedicated to educating and teaching. Zim is a professor of jewish music at the "Academy for Jewish Religion" Cantorial School in New York City. He also lectures extensively, nationally as well as internationally, for other cantorial schools and is a frequent "scholar/composer in residence" for many jewish organizations and synagogues across the globe where he creates a lasting spark through his energy and his philosophies on jewish musical culture.

Zim is celebrated for his highly distinctive compositions and has written hundreds of popular & recognizable melodies and arrangements (i.e. L’dor Vador, Adon Olam, Kad’shenu, Sim Shalom, Avinu Shebashamayim, etc.), which are sung in congregations the world over. His 25 recordings feature yiddish, israeli, chassidic, broadway, opera and pop music. Most of his recordings contain original material and they include music for all ages. His 13 books of original music are used throughout the world by cantors, rabbis and educators and his “anthologies” have become leading guides and textbooks for cantorial study. Sol’s “Avinu Shebashamayim” is sung in synagogues and concerts throughout the world and has virtually become a second national anthem in the state of israel.

Sol involves his audiences and congregants in order to create a spiritual connection through participation. He is recognized by his colleagues as a "Cantors' Cantor". He believes the cantor cannot merely sing & daven ‘to’ a congregation – “we must involve our people in prayer & daven together with them to heighten & illuminate the spirit in our congregations”. Sol is truly the pioneer of congregational participatory music and all his songs, melodies and cantorial chants reflect this ideology and always create a spiritual connection.

One cannot help but feel the vitality of jewish culture and its’ legacy as well as the ruach (spirit) of a people when watching Sol perform. From the moment he steps on stage, Sol’s unrelenting energy sparks a contagious burst of excitement that spreads throughout the room. His intense style stimulates the audience to a frenzy that touches one’s every emotion. With his rich tenor voice, remarkable enthusiasm and soulful manner, Sol is sought after as the number one concert artist in the jewish community and performs to sold out audiences throughout the U.S., England, Canada, Australia, South America, South Africa and Israel. He has become a household name in the jewish world. Not only is Sol a leading and dynamic force in the furtherance of jewish music but he is also responsible for spearheading many cultural events including major community concerts, commemorations, memorials, rallies, celebrations and gatherings, both in times of revelry and in times of crisis affecting the jewish people and the state of Israel. He is relied upon to both lead and represent our jewish communities at many events in the New York area and is proud to stand as a symbol of our people.

For Sol Zim’s contributions to jewish music and his indelible mark on liturgical/synagogue music, there is no equal. His prolific style, creative and interpretive musical artistry as well as his masterful teaching have not only impacted jewish music but have helped secure that jewish music will survive and thrive.

Sol Zim is the one driving force that has changed the direction of jewish music in our time, ensuring the fervent continuity of jewish musical culture. His joy is to compose, teach, perform and to share...our joy is to participate, learn and be enriched by the experience.
Sol Zim truly “writes the songs that make the whole jewish world sing”.