As a child growing up in the Bronx, Cantor Edward
Smith first fell in love with cantorial music after hearing
the beautiful chanting of the Chazzan in his shul. He began
to sing with Chazzan Moshe Erblich in the choir of the Mosholu
Jewish Center and he knew at a very early age that Chazzanut
was his calling.
Cantor Smith has studied with some of the most prominent names
in the cantorial world - David Kusevitsky, Oscar Berry and Moshe
and Yaacov Ehrblich. He has also studied voice with renowned
opera teacher Raymond Buckingham, many of whose students have
gone on to sing with the Metropolitan Opera. Although Mr. Buckingham
urged him to train for the opera, Cantor Smith has chosen to
use his talents strictly for tefilah.
Cantor Smith has served as Chazzan at B'nai David Judea in
Los Angeles, the Jewish Center of Teaneck, Fresh Meadows Jewish
Center, Bell Park Jewish Center and Shelter Rock Jewish Center.
He has also graced the bimah as guest Chazzan at East Meadow
Jewish Center, Talmud Torah of Flatbush, Rego Park Jewish
Center, Shaare Tzedek in Manhattan and the Park Synagogue
in Cleveland. Cantor Smith packed the house for a concert
at the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a shul on the lower east
side of Manhattan, which has been declared a national, historical
landmark by the United States Government and is currently
undergoing complete restoration. The concert was attended
by many officials from the Federal, State and City governments.
He was the first cantor to sing in the sanctuary in over forty
years. Cantor Smith has also been a featured performer on
Radio Station WEVD.
Cantor Smith's spinto tenor voice has been compared to many
of the great Italian tenors and it has been said of his style
that while he is a modern cantor, he also evokes a nostalgic
feeling reminiscent of the golden age of cantors.
|
