Avraham Fried | |
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Avraham Fried in 2010
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Background information | |
Birth name | Avraham Shabsi (HaKohen) Friedman |
Born | March 22, 1959 |
Origin | New York City |
Genres | Contemporary Jewish religious music |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, musician |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1981–present |
Labels | Sameach, Aderet |
Website | Facebook Page |
Avraham Shabsi Hakohen Friedman (born March 22, 1959) better known by his stage name, Avraham Fried, is a popular musical entertainer in the Orthodox Jewish community.
Fried was encouraged towards a music career by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the rebbe of Lubavitch, and by Mordechai Ben David. Fried began his career with the release of his first album No Jew Will Be Left Behind in 1981. The title song was composed by Yossi Green and the song "Kel Hahodaos" was written by Kol Salonica. Fried went on to collaborate with Green on eight albums. Green is credited with some of Fried's biggest hits, including "Aderaba", "Tanya", and "Didoh Bei".
In summer 2009, Fried made a concert tour in Israel where he introduced Israeli singer and composer Chanan Yovel and featured the songs "Rak T'filla" and "U'Nesane Tokef". His first DVD was released in December 2009.
His music is mostly categorized as pop Jewish music, similar to Mordechai ben David and tends to integrate many styles of popular music, including pop, rock and jazz, with Jewish lyrics and themes. He also has a few "cantor" style songs on most of his albums, as well as many songs written in Yiddish. He sings his Yiddish songs with a Chabad flavor.
Fried's grandfather, Rabbi Meir Yisroel Isser Friedman, was the Rav of Krenitz, a renowned halakhist and Sanzer Hasid. After World War II he resided in Borough Park, Brooklyn. His father, Yaakov Moshe Friedman, OBM, was a Hasid of the Rebbe of Bluzhov, and worked as an administrator at the United Lubavitcher Yeshiva in Crown Heights for 40 years.