Who We Are

HAROLD (CHAIM) FRUCHTER: LEAD SINGER, GUITARIST

Harold joined Kol Chayim in 1981. He began his involvement in Jewish music in New York, with his first band, the Ruach Revival. They performed regularly at youth conventions, and concerts, all over the US and Canada. He made 2 recordings with that group. This was followed by a band named Ruach, with whom he made 2 more albums, and branched out into playing at weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvas. In addition to performing, he has appeared on twenty albums, including Gershon Veroba's “Variations", “Uncle Moishy", and Neshoma Orchestra’s first recording. His latest project was an album he made together with his son, Yoshie, a guitarist living in New York, called “Beyond the Book; a Musical Journey into the Subconscious of Our Ancestors".

MARSHALL WHITE:TRUMPET, KEYBOARD

Marshall is The Kol Chayim Orchestra’s Renaissance Man! Student, teacher, composer, arranger, performer. Award-winning musical director. Has Masters Degree in Music Performance. Did we leave anything out? Of course! He’s an awesome trumpet and keyboard player. At any of our performances, you’re likely to see Marshall playing trumpet, and then switching over to keyboard, and back again. Plus, we love to play music that Marshall has arranged – it makes us sound great!

DON NEW: SAXOPHONES, FLUTE, CLARINET

Don, known in the industry as one of the finest players in the Baltimore-Washington region, is our phenomenal sax, flute and clarinet player. The consummate professional, Don's career has included years as a member of the Airmen of Note (the premier jazz band of the US Air Force), and performances with such greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Diane Schuur and many more. His outstanding playing and his wonderful personality make Don a favorite at Kol Chayim Orchestra performances.

GARY HONICK: BASS GUITAR, VIOLIN

Peabody-trained Gary Honick, our bass guitarist and violinist, provides melodic rhythm you can feel as well as hear. Recognized for his authoritative bass lines and his technical versatility, Gary has recorded and performed in concert with luminaries of contemporary Jewish and other music, including Mordechai BenDavid, Avraham Fried, Dedi, The Chevra, Chaim David and many others. Equally accomplished as a performer of classical and chamber music, rock, jazz and just about every other style of music, Gary's playing is a key component of the great sound of the Kol Chayim Orchestra.