Biography
What sets Shulem apart from most vocalists is the unusual route that brought him a major-label contract, one that originated with a social media video instead of conventional channels. As the first singer from the Orthodox Hasidic world to land a deal with a leading American label, his selections range across cantorial repertoire, show tunes, crossover classical works, and older pop standards. Without any formal vocal instruction, his fluid and refined tenor conveys feeling directly and avoids theatrical excess. Released in 2019, his debut album The Perfect Dream reveals his ease with multiple styles while extending beyond his Belz Hasidic background to deliver a message of optimism to listeners everywhere.
Shulem Lemmer came into the world in New York City on November 6, 1989. He and his seven older siblings were raised in Brooklyn’s Borough Park area, where their home resonated with music—his father drawn to cantorial singing and his mother preferring contemporary Jewish styles. As a boy he picked up guitar and drums, and his brother Yanky later became a cantor at a Manhattan synagogue. Shulem spent six-and-a-half years in Israel, where he began recording in earnest as part of a vocal group, then joined Brooklyn’s well-known Shira Choir upon his return to the United States. In addition to Yiddish and Hebrew material, he immersed himself in classical singing, especially the work of Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli, before exploring pop artists such as Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, and Elton John. Absorbing their recordings and learning to emulate their phrasing helped him develop his own command of the voice, earning him steady local work at weddings, religious celebrations, and family gatherings.
In 2015 Shulem and other members of Shira posted a YouTube performance of the traditional Passover song “Chad Gadya.” Graham Parker, General Manager of the classical station WQXR-FM (not to be confused with the British singer and songwriter of the same name), was later named President of Universal’s classical labels, among them Decca Gold. Drawing on his own experience as a cantor, Parker searched for Passover music suitable for his children and came across the clip of Shulem singing “Chad Gadya.” Impressed at once by the voice, Parker located the singer at his home in Toms River, New Jersey, where Shulem and his wife were raising three children while he worked a day job in marketing. Shulem initially assumed the email from Parker was a prank, yet the two arranged a meeting in Brooklyn to discuss a recording contract with Decca Gold. The agreement respected Shulem’s religious requirements and allowed him to consult his rabbi on repertoire and performance choices. Once finalized, Shulem worked with producer and arranger Jon Cohen and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to complete The Perfect Dream, which Decca Gold released in November 2019.
Shulem Lemmer came into the world in New York City on November 6, 1989. He and his seven older siblings were raised in Brooklyn’s Borough Park area, where their home resonated with music—his father drawn to cantorial singing and his mother preferring contemporary Jewish styles. As a boy he picked up guitar and drums, and his brother Yanky later became a cantor at a Manhattan synagogue. Shulem spent six-and-a-half years in Israel, where he began recording in earnest as part of a vocal group, then joined Brooklyn’s well-known Shira Choir upon his return to the United States. In addition to Yiddish and Hebrew material, he immersed himself in classical singing, especially the work of Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli, before exploring pop artists such as Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, and Elton John. Absorbing their recordings and learning to emulate their phrasing helped him develop his own command of the voice, earning him steady local work at weddings, religious celebrations, and family gatherings.
In 2015 Shulem and other members of Shira posted a YouTube performance of the traditional Passover song “Chad Gadya.” Graham Parker, General Manager of the classical station WQXR-FM (not to be confused with the British singer and songwriter of the same name), was later named President of Universal’s classical labels, among them Decca Gold. Drawing on his own experience as a cantor, Parker searched for Passover music suitable for his children and came across the clip of Shulem singing “Chad Gadya.” Impressed at once by the voice, Parker located the singer at his home in Toms River, New Jersey, where Shulem and his wife were raising three children while he worked a day job in marketing. Shulem initially assumed the email from Parker was a prank, yet the two arranged a meeting in Brooklyn to discuss a recording contract with Decca Gold. The agreement respected Shulem’s religious requirements and allowed him to consult his rabbi on repertoire and performance choices. Once finalized, Shulem worked with producer and arranger Jon Cohen and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to complete The Perfect Dream, which Decca Gold released in November 2019.
Albums
Singles
Live
