Our Soloists

David Shine

 

David Shine’s interest in Chazanut began as a young boy. He was inspired by the Chazanim in Nottingham where he grew up, firstly by the late Rev Aaron Hiller and then by Rev Maurice Schwartz. He conducted High Holy Days Services in Staines at the invitation of Rev L Rosenberg, whose daughter Janet he was married for 43 years until her passing. He recently married Irene Shapiro from Zichron Yaakov, Israel and they live in Golders Green.

He learnt voice production under the late John Hargreaves; then under Tony Maddison and now under Leslie Seymour. He studies Chazanut under Cantor Moshe Haschel. David believes fervently that the aim of the Chazan is to use the Chazanut and vocal techniques to reflect the various layers of meaning in the prayers. Although seeking to be a faithful follower of the liturgical tradition he does occasionally insert changes in traditional chazanut compositions so as to reflect the true meaning of the words. David also sings Yiddish and operatic pieces in concert to critical acclaim. He is a solicitor by profession.

In 1973 he was appointed Chazan of the North Hendon Adath Yisroel Synagogue, which he served for 30 years. He has officiated as guest Chazan and performed at concerts in London and in the provinces. David was introduced to the London Cantorial Singers in 1997 by Ian Lyons z”l. He serves on the choir’s executive committee and is one of its lead cantors. David is a lyric tenor.

 

David Rome

 

Cantor David Rome began his career aged eighteen as the youngest Cantor in the UK at Ilford United Synagogue, one of the largest synagogues in Europe. He served there for nearly eight years until 2012. At this time he embarked on extensive cantorial training with Cantor Stephen Robins and then continued with advanced vocal techniques under successive teachers. Whilst at Ilford he accepted the call to be a resident soloist with the London Cantorial Singers.

Born into a distinguished musical family and a scion of the legendary Oscar Rabin, leader of one of the most successful Jazz and British dance bands of the 1950s, his love for music was encouraged from an early age.  

He continues to serve the United Synagogue movement as a minister as well as singing at a myriad of venues across the country. During his career he has performed at many high-profile events and functions. These have included appearances at Trafalgar Square and events alongside Prime Ministers and Royalty.  

He has also performed at international festivals of music in Berlin, national commemorative events in London, and many other civic and communal events. He created and is lead singer of the function band Celestial Harmony consisting of some of London’s finest jazz musicians, performing at events throughout the country. In 2011, concomitant with his musical accomplishments, he obtained an Honours degree in Humanities from University College London. 

He is an accomplished singer and pianist with a wide repertoire incorporating show music, classic smash hits, broadway, Jazz, ethnic music and classical repertoire. 

David has flourished as a creative educator and a skilled interviewer, collaborating and leading a series of ‘in Conversations’ with former Conservative Party leader, Lord Michael Howard KC; media mogul, Lord Michael Grade; music critic, Norman Lebrecht; and Jennifer Jankel, Director of the JMI & daughter of the renowned band leader Joe Loss.

He recently had a debut concert with the London Cantorial Singers at the Wigmore Hall in which he appeared together with Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel.

David has been responsible for curating interfaith events as well as performing for the Gurkha community in the presence of Dame Joanna Lumley.

For David Rome’s Web site click here

Cantor Henry Black

Henry started singing in his local synagogue choir (West Ham) at 9 years old. After a varied formative career, firstly as choirmaster in West Ham from the age of 14 and then Birmingham Singers Hill (1971), he became part time Chazan at Singers Hill Synagogue alongside his profession in Dentistry.

Having served the Birmingham community as Chazan with distinction for 5 years, he moved back to London in 1990, where after forming and training a choir in Stanmore & Cannons Park Synagogue and became parttime Chazan (1995), He is no longer the incumbent at Stanmore Shul having retired in 2010 after 15years of service to the Stanmore Community.

With his rich, melodious and sensitive tenor / baritone voice, Henry has given pleasure to all the congregations he has served, as well as delighting audiences in the concert hall both in London and the Provinces. His association with the London Cantorial Singers goes back to its formation by Ian Lyons z”l both as a chorister and soloist.

Rafi Sandford

At just 15 years of age, Rafi Sandford is currently one of the most sought after young Jewish singers and chazans in the UK. Having his talent spotted early by his then shul, Chigwell, Rafi was given wonderful opportunities to grow and develop. This led to him being spotted by the London Cantorial Singers where Rafi was the boy soloist for a number of years, performing at special venues such as Canary Wharf and with world renowned Chazanim such as Motti Boyer and Shmuel Barzilai. After resting his voice for a year post barmitzvah, Rafi has come back to music with vigour and gusto, releasing two songs on digital music platforms, viral social media performances and being hugely in demand for Weddings, Bar and Batmitzvahs and other social occasions. Rafi combines his love of music and technology, using loop pedals and effects together with his guitar to enthral audiences. Rafi still continues to passionately enjoy leading Shabbat and Yom Tov services, under the tutelage of his teacher Lester Harris, and has been asked to daven at venues around NW London as well as Essex and Marble Arch. On a regular Shabbat Rafi can be found at the outstanding Adath Yisroel youth minyan in Edgware where his friends just know him as Rafi, the kid who can sing quite well.