Yosi Piamenta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yosi Piamenta
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Piamenta performing at a concert in Jerusalem's Old City in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Yoseph Piamenta |
| Also known as | Yosi Piamenta |
| Born | 29 November 1951 Jerusalem, Israel |
| Died | 23 August 2015 (aged 63) New York City |
| Genres | Jewish rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock, hard rock, nigunim |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, artist |
| Instruments | Vocals, fender stratocaster guitar |
| Years active | 1972–2015 |
| Associated acts | The Piamenta Band, Yosi Piamenta and the Heavenly Jams Band, Piamenta Brothers |
Yosi Piamenta (Hebrew: יוסי פיאמנטה; 29 November 1951 – 23 August 2015) was a talented musician, singer, and guitarist. He was famous for bringing the electric guitar into Jewish music. Yosi played rock and roll songs with amazing guitar solos. He did this while wearing traditional Jewish clothes and singing in Biblical Hebrew. Many music experts said he was an incredibly skilled guitar player.
Yosi Piamenta wrote his own songs. He also played music by other artists, including Jewish religious songs. He even covered songs by famous musicians like Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, and Jimi Hendrix. Yosi once described his unique music style by saying, "I do klezmer with electric guitar."
About Yosi's Life
Yosi Piamenta was born in Jerusalem, Israel, in 1951. His parents were Yehuda and Genia Piamenta. When he was 12 years old, in 1962, his family moved to Tel Aviv. There, his uncle, Albert Piamenta, who was a saxophonist, gave him his first guitar. Yosi grew up practicing traditional Judaism.
When Yosi was in his 20s, he moved to New York. He went with his brother, Avi Piamenta. They planned to record an album with the American saxophone player Stan Getz. The album was a big success. However, Yosi did not like the lifestyle of the entertainment industry. He decided to focus more on his religion and joined the Orthodox Jewish community. He married his cousin, Vivian, and they had six children together.
Yosi lived in Flatbush, Brooklyn, for more than 20 years. Later, he moved back to Israel to be closer to his father. Yosi said he moved back for good. He explained that his father, who was 80, asked him to return to Israel. Yosi said he would keep playing music in Israel and travel for concerts. His father, Yehuda, has since passed away.
In August 2014, Yosi, his brother Avi, and Naftali Kalfa released a song called "Yaancha." They called it a "prayer for Piamenta's recovery." On April 14, 2015, Yosi's Facebook page shared that he was not doing well. Fans were asked to pray for him. On April 17, 2015, Yosi fell into a coma. He woke up two days later. Yosi had surgery for cancer at the Sheba Medical Center. He passed away in New York on August 23, 2015.
Yosi's Music Career
In 1974, Yosi Piamenta started a band with his brother Avi, who played the flute. By 1976, the brothers were discovered by Stan Getz. Getz invited them to record music with him in New York. Yosi was 26 years old when he arrived in New York. He went on a tour with Getz across the United States. After that tour, the Piamenta brothers joined Getz for a tour in Israel. After recording an album with Getz, Yosi became an observant Orthodox Jew.
Yosi Piamenta had two main groups of fans. Many people loved him as a famous Jewish musician. They went to his live shows at religious events, Jewish concerts, and weddings. Yosi also had fans who especially enjoyed his rock and blues music. They loved his long guitar solos, which he usually played at smaller concerts in bars and clubs.
Besides his live shows, Yosi released many studio albums. You can find his albums in Jewish homes in the US and Israel. The Piamenta Band was one of the most popular groups for Jewish weddings for many years. Most of Yosi's concerts and albums were performed or recorded with his brother, Avi.
Albums
- Let's Dance with the Piamentas (1981)
- Ezreinei K-l Chai: A Medley of Chassidic Hits (1982)
- Mitzvah (1984)
- Tismach (1988)
- Piamenta 1990 (1989)
- Songs of the Rebbes (1991)
- The Way You Like It! (1995)
- Strings of My Heart (1997)
- Big Time (with Avi Piamenta) (2000)
- Piamenta Live NYC Performance
- Sason V'simcha: A Piamenta Wedding (with Avi Piamenta) (2003)
- Live at Crash Mansion (with the Heavenly Jams Band) (2004)
- Sameach - Sephardic Dance Mix (with Avi Piamenta and Shlomo Haviv) (2004)
- Yihiyu Leratzon (with Naftali Kalfa) (2007)
