I have been a cantor for over 30 years. Over those years, I have been associated with a variety of congregations including Lindenhurst Jewish Center (my first), Bayside Oaks Jewish Center in Queens, NY, Northeast Jewish Center in Yonkers, NY, Monsey Jewish Center in Monsey, NY, and Congregation Adas Israel in Duluth, MN. I now proudly serve as the full time cantor of Congregation Shaarey Israel of Montebello, NY.
I like to think of my cantorial style as “traditional.” I truly love singing with my congregation and trying to add meaning to the prayers through the cantorial art. My favorite service during the year (i.e., excepting the High Holidays which are in a class all by themselves) is the Hallel service during which I revel in leading my congregation in singing almost the entire Hallel. If you have not experienced a musical Hallel, you are missing something.
I was born into a cantorial family. My father, the late Cantor Moshe Bazian was a world-class cantor. He was a contemporary of great cantors and was respected by them all. If I know anything about the cantorial arts, I learned it from my dad and he has always been my muse. If you’re interested in experiencing a true cantorial master can see many examples on YouTube.
My brother, Cantor Benjamin Bazian, serves as a cantor in Silver Spring, MD.
I married the former Chana Silberman in 1986. We have been blessed with three sons. Our eldest two are twin sons, Baruch and Shmuel, who are married with six children between them. Our youngest son, Yitzchak, is studying for his doctorate.
I love to write and author a monthly column in the Shule’s journal, The Scroll. You can read these online here on this website. I have also written three technical books to date and am working on a book of Divrei Torah, and a book on leadership.
You can email me at njChazzan@gmail.com and follow me on Twitter @njChazzan.