Jacob
Segall was born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1966 in a home that cantorial art
is a tradition that transcends generations.
Segalls father, born 1923 in Berlin, is a musician and
cantor. His cantorial training began in his childhood, when he learned
Chazanut, music and score reading from the famous Cantor Ravitz and from
the famous choir leader Mr. Joseph Rambam, where he gained proficiency
in all the nuances of Jewish prayer.
Jacob studied for 8 years at the Israeli Conservatory of
Music where he learned to play the violin; harmony, solfege and the
history of music. He continued his professional education by studying
voice training and music scoring under the tutelage of the well-known
Israeli singer and musician, Mati Caspi.
In 2001 he recorded his first album which was a great
success. The album was comprised of 11 original songs that he composed,
arranged the orchestrations, and sang the vocals.
Over the years, he continued his voice training under
the guidance of Mr. Victor Kutik, a senior lecturer at the Tel Aviv
Institute of Chazanut headed by the world renowned Cantor Naftali
Herstik. During the same time, his father taught him the special Nusach
prayers based on the ancient European cantorial tradition, as well as
classical cantorial compositions.
Jacob served as cantor at various synagogues throughout Israel, as well
as the position of Chief Cantor in the Shikun Heh Central Synagogue in
Bnei Brak, Israel.
As he told us, he is always interested in a Cantorial position for
the High Holidays in an Orthodox Synagogue, but he is also able to read
from the Torah and blow the Shofar.
But in order for you to get a better sense of his
skills, please listen to some home recording samples of the High
Holidays.
Home recorded: