Yoshie Fruchter

Yoshie Fruchter (born February 1, 1982) is an American jazz guitarist, bassist, oud player and composer.

Early life and education Fruchter was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, in an Orthodox Jewish household, singing and playing Jewish music in his youth. His father is a musician, and his sister Temim is the former drummer of the indie punk band The Shondes. and moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 2005.

Music career

Pitom Fruchter's debut solo album as composer and guitarist, Pitom, was released in 2008. The Wall Street Journal called it "a dazzling debut" "Pitom" is Hebrew for "Suddenly," and the album was named after his band,

Fruchter's music combines elements of jazz, klezmer, rock, surf and heavy metal, while exploring themes of God, religion, repentance and redemption. Both Pitom albums have been released on John Zorn's Tzadik Records label. Also in the band are Shanir Blumenkranz (bass), Brian Marsella (keyboards), Yonadav Halevy (drums) and Rich Stein (percussion).

Other projects In 2006, Fruchter collaborated with his father, Chaim (Harold) Fruchter on Beyond the Book, an album of songs they co-wrote and produced that explore critical moments in the lives of various Biblical personalities.

Fruchter is a member of Jon Madof's 13-piece afrobeat group Zion80, playing guitar on the group's self-titled 2013 debut. In April 2014, Zion80 released its second album, Adramelech, an interpretation of John Zorn's Masada Book 2: The Book of Angels, on which Fruchter again played guitar.

Fruchter is also a frequent substitute with the instrumental rock quartet Abraxas, which also performs the music of Zorn's Masada; a member of Pakistani/American collaboration Sandaraa; doom metal band Deveykus; among other projects, many of which explore the relationship of Jewish culture, identity and music.

Personal life Fruchter resides in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, journalist Leah Koenig, and their son. He is an observant Orthodox Jew.

Discography

Albums By: Yoshie Fruchter and Chaim Fruchter Released: February 2006 Label: Self-released Formats: CD2008Pitom By: Yoshie Fruchter Released: September 16, 2008 Label: Tzadik Records By: Pitom Released: February 22, 2011 Label: Tzadik Records By: Schizophonia Released: December 15, 2014 Label: Blue Thread Music Formats: CD, digital download

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