Yehuda Glantz

Yehuda Julio Glantz (יהודה חוליו גלאנץ; born March 19, 1958, in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is a musician, composer, singer, songwriter and producer living in Jerusalem Israel. Named and recognized as Cultural Ambassador of Latin Hebrew Music from Israel to the world. Glantz is a multi-instrumentalist playing on the Charango, piano, accordion, siku, pincuyo, guitar, flute, cuatro and is also a percussionist. Yehuda has twice received the first place award in the klezmer Safed festival for his performance and compositions. In 2008, Yehuda founded the Regalim Festival in the City Center of Jerusalem. The festival takes place during both Sukkoth and Passover holidays and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.

Biography
Yehuda Julio Glantz was born and raised in Argentina. When he was five years old he began studying accordion, and Glantz 's father enrolled him in a music school. At the age of six, Glantz began to sing in the choir of the Max Nordau Synagogue located in Buenos Aires. He began to study violin in the Manuel De Falla Conservatory, simultaneously studying both piano and guitar. At the age of sixteen he started performing with the young band "El Canto de Todos". At the age of seventeen he went to Brazil where he studied harmony and composition on the style of Bossa nova and Samba while mastering both guitar and percussion. At the age of twenty-one Glantz visited Israel for the first time and decided to stay. Shortly after he was granted a Stipend from the Rubin Academy of Music of Jerusalem where he studied piano and composition with Professor Nachum Perperkovich. At the age of twenty-two Glantz adapted various flutes and other Bamboo instruments into his music. He began producing, arranging and composing music in International Latin American Jewish Fusion.

His stay in Israel presented him with many questions about Judaism. Yehuda Julio then began the study of the musical path of the Hasidim and the Kabbalah known as "nigunim" that reflects the search for connection and expression. It is a musical tradition with a lot of energy, rhythm and fervor, a tool to elevate and get closer to be more spiritual. Combining composition with rhythm and instruments from South – America, along with words from the scriptures. He subsequently performed in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, Europe, Japan, Rusia, South America and Israel.

Musical work
He released an album entitled Golden Organ 1 and 2 in 1985 and Golden Tunes in 1986. In the same year he also released a humor satire album entitled Kasach in honor of the Jewish holiday purim. In 1992 Glantz released the album Pionero, a Spanish album debuting the song Adon Olam. In 1994 the song Na'ale off the album was released and hit number 1 on the Top 10 song lists of many Israeli radio stations, the album sold thousands. It was then that Glantz began to be published in Diaspora communities worldwide. In 1996 after witnessing the explosion of a suicide bomber near his home at the Machane Yehuda market place of Jerusalem, Glantz released an album entitled Rak Litzok El Hashem -" Just shout to the Lord.

From 1992 to 2007, Glantz appeared each year at the Chabad Telethon in Hollywood. As a result he met Jerry Weintraub, whose credits include producing the 2001 blockbuster hit remake of Ocean's Eleven. Glantz then appeared in season 2 Episode 7 of the TV series Friends, where he appeared as the "Rabbi playing the electric guitar".

In 2002, Glantz released "Gotta Dance- Muchrachim lircod", a personal album about love, children, and joy. The album's lyrics are based on the teachings and statements of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach.

In 2005, the first Cellist from the Israel Symphony Orchestra Doron Toister, who knew Glantz, decided to arrange one of Yehuda Glantz's compositions for the Israel Symphony Orchestra. Glantz then began to produce the performance entitled "Nomade". This performance integrated classical orchestration along with South American instrumentation. A total of 83 musicians performed on stage including the symphony and rhythm section. Glantz alongside Toister worked for 18-month producing this project and in April 2006, premiered with the Israel Symphony Orchestra at the Performing Arts Center of Rishon Lezion.

In 2008 Yehuda Julio Glantz founded the "Festival Regalim" in Jerusalem's City Center. The festival provides a platform for young artists from the neighborhood and internationally consisting of musicians, painters, street performers, actors, authors, and others, who present their creative abilities.

Yehuda released last September the first single "Birkat HaBayit" from the new album. On Chanukah in December 2011 Yehuda release his new album "Chai Vekayam". The album was released first in the digital download edition. In February came the album CD edition.

in 2012 he toured Australia, Egypt, Russia, Turkey, with "Chai Vekayam" concerts At the same time, he is dedicated to the musical production of new internationals talents, among those listed are Omer Adam and with whom he collaborates with songs in spanish.

in 2013 he toured the United States and Argentina. with "Chai Vekayam" concerts

From 2014 to the present, he has been involved in the creation, composition, direction, and production of Búsqueda Eterna, a contemporary alternative music project within the genre of "World Music." This fusion of universal rhythms is intricately woven together by an array of voices and instruments, resulting in a unique and distinctive sound.

Drawing inspiration from diverse musical influences worldwide, the project's repertoire encompasses various styles, showcasing a dynamic blend of wide-ranging voices and crossover lyrical pop. The songs feature lyrics in Spanish that reflect universal values, promote humanity, and convey a positive attitude.

The World Music project "Búsqueda Eterna" takes inspiration from the alternative folklore of Latin America, including the Argentine popular malambo, as well as emerging rhythms from around the globe. It seamlessly navigates through the realms of jazz, folk, lyrical-crossover, pop, rock, and classical music, creating an itinerant groove that transcends borders. The lyrics, in Spanish, are rooted in universal values and deliver a message of positivity.

Mariel Pivin, a crossover singer hailing from Santa Fe, Argentina, is a prominent contributor to this project. The diverse repertoire is enriched by influences from the folk traditions of Argentina, South America, and the Middle East. It presents a universal proposition, whereby the heartfelt lyrics resonate with humanity, inspire, and advocate for positive change.

From 2015 to 2017 he toured with Busqueda eterna Duo with Mariel Pivin, a crossover singer and piano player.

At the beginning of 2018, he started a new venture of workshops and experiences combined with music and cooking, another of his passions. Yehuda designed a bohemian artistic space in the hills of Jerusalem where VIP events are held with local and international artists for cultural development, creating a space with varied programs for meeting and connection.

In November 2018 he toured Japan, offering shows and educational workshops in different universities: Rykkio, Kwansei Gakuin, Ipal and Cultural Centers in Tokyo, Kobe, Osaka, Takamatsu and Kagawa. in December 2018 he toured in Moscow, offering a show in the Kremlin

In January and February 2019, he spent 2 months in Argentina recording new compositions with Argentine folk musicians. He brought the material to Israel and continued to work in his studio. The edition for the public realization is still in progress Then the pandemic came and yehuda continued with the programming of video clips DANOS lUZ - Give us Light

On November 8 he was appointed Cultural Ambassador of the Hebrew Latin Music of Israel to the World, receiving a certificate of honor and recognition for his extensive international career.

In 2021 Yehuda Glantz reopens the renewal of his symphonic work Nomade with new arrangements and compositions adapted to the present. They are significant reforms for a contemporary symphonic concert in Spanish. Nomade is an artistic manifestation that celebrates the richness and cultural diversity of Israel, Argentina and Ecuador. It encourages dialogue between musical identities, creating an experience of emotion and connection. Through the expression and fusion of cultural roots, original compositions and traditional melodies are brought to life, performed in Spanish - ancient Hebrew - Ladino - English. With the richness of traditions, folkloric rhythms are fused with classical instruments, giving a cultural and educational contribution that integrates and values the roots. This experience is enriched with multimedia elements and dance where diversity becomes a universal language. "Nomade" transforms into a multicultural symphonic magic music.

2022 USA - Florida tour - Chanukah Music Festival- from December 19 to December 25

2023 Ecuador Tour - Quito - Tena - Galapagos

Discography
Albums
 * "Búsqueda Eterna VOL-2", 2021
 * "Danos Luz", 2020
 * "Flores para la paz", 2016
 * "Búsqueda Eterna VOL-1", 2015
 * "Chai Vekayam", 2012
 * "Nomade", 2007
 * "Gotta dance", 2002
 * "Granite", 1999
 * "Adon Olam", 1998
 * "Unplugged", 1998
 * "Rak Litzok el Hashem", 1996
 * "Na'ale", 1994
 * "Pionero", (pioneer), 1992
 * "Live in South America", 1990
 * "Kasach", 1986
 * "The Sound of Gold", 1986
 * "Golden Tunes", 1985