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Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray

Spirited and Soulful

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A Kol Nidre Tale- Thank you Natalie Cole

January 3, 2021

Kol Nidre is one of the most sacred musical experiences of the year in Jewish worship. It is solemn and awesome; the music is powerful. The cantor has a responsibility to represent the community and uplift them through his or her voice. It is the one prayer I have had extreme anxiety over, due to the pressure I feel to make it just right. I remember years ago coughing and clearing my throat so often right before, when I began to sing I had even more to overcome! As I get older, the anxiety is less, but the awesomeness increases with age and perspective.

It would have felt neglectful of my duties as cantor to play a recording of my father singing the Kol Nidre up until this year. For 40 years I have chanted Kol Nidre with my father’s voice in my head. This year, with the creativity of zoom, pre-recordings, videos shared, it was not a crazy idea to play my father singing the Kol Nidre as one of the three chanted. Luckily my wonderful Rabbi David Reiner loved the idea. His father Rabbi Fred Reiner is an esteemed rabbi, and he often shares his father’s wisdom , bringing him into our worship experience.

The music of this Kol Nidre was composed by my  grandfather, Cantor Adolph Katchko. He wrote music that is still taught to cantors world wide, bringing traditional modes and text together. His publication of A Cantorial Thesaurus was hailed by Hebrew Union College in the early 1950’s  as the first cantorial book of traditional but original melodies using Jewish modes of nusach as it’s base.  When I was a young girl I thought he wrote Jewish Music. I thought he wrote everything. I would say to someone, my grandfather wrote a lot of Jewish music, ever hear this? I would start to sing the opening notes of Kol Nidre, and they would say, “ Wow! I’ve definitely heard that!”  Of course, every Kol Nidre starts that way, as the sacred melody is considered Mi Sinai, from Mount Sinai , a select group of melodies traditional and considered especially holy.

My father’s Kol NIdre moves me for many reasons. It was the only time he was in a recording studio. I insisted he and my mother come to a small recording studio in Georgetown, CT to record a few gems I loved. I had just recorded my first cd in l994. Both my parents had been battling cancer, and I knew this may be my only chance to have a professional recording of them. The studio had a keyboard that had an organ sound- not my mother’s preference, but it worked. When I heard the opening chords of hers on Kol Nidre as that recording began, I burst into tears sobbing. It was my mother’s hands on that keyboard and I could hear her so clearly. She would pass only two years later in l996. My father at the time of the recording, had a kidney removed from cancer and a piece of his lung removed from cancer. Having these two major surgeries would impact anyone, especially a singer who needs the abdominal muscles and diaphragm to sing well.

The recording showed little loss of vocal strength, but I knew he had those obstacles to climb, and he was able to sing with the majesty, power and deep conviction of a master cantor. His father told him he had “ the voice of a prophet” and his Kol Nidre to me sounded that way. My dear father passed away in l997 to join my beloved mother.

When I heard Natalie Cole harmonize with her belated father, Nat King Cole in that incredible duet, “ Unforgettable” , I began to wonder if I could do the same with my beloved father and his studio recordings.

I did my Katchko Three Generations of Cantorial Art recording in 2009, and  I knew I should try harmonizing with my father. After all, he was my primary teacher and the music was transmitted to him by his father. This recording was done to show a woman can sound like a traditional cantor and a woman at the same time. I changed many keys to be female friendly and added guitar chords for the liberal cantors. It was thrilling to do a recording of a piece, Ki K’shimcha and include my grandfather as well, bringing three generations of cantors together.  I was lucky to find a great studio engineer Paul Avgerinos from Studio Unicorn in Redding, CT. Twelve years after my father passed, I was singing with him in the studio. It continues to be a surreal experience to listen to our voices together but it is incredibly moving. I am so grateful for technology to bring us together.

When the Kol Nidre was played during our recent Kol Nidre service I knew it was not the time for a video montage ( though I was tempted to show photos of my father as a cantor ) because it is ultimately about the prayer, the text and our obligation as cantors to fulfill our duty as Shlichei Tzibor, representatives of our congregation.

Another silver lining from Covid, was that after sobbing nonstop during the Kol Nidre of my father, it was then my turn to do the third Kol Nidre. Luckily it was prerecorded and videoed, so I could pray and recover at the same time.

Thank you to Natalie Cole for the idea of singing with a deceased parent. I am grateful for the opportunity to share his magnificent voice and soul with my congregation. ( I’ve attached the recording to share it with you as well).  I do believe with a cloud, comes a silver lining,

When things return to somewhat normal, I hope to keep this recording as a Kol Nidre offering going forward. May his voice and the glorious music my parents shared with me always be a blessing and an inspiration.

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Recipient of the first Debbie Friedman Miriam Award

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Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray
Congregation Shir Shalom
46 Peaceable Street
Ridgefield, CT 06877
203-438-5609 (study)
203-482-1726 (cell)

Testimonials

Thank YOU Cantor Debbie!

You were a tremendous part of the event. Your guitar was very exciting and your song selections so uplifting. The moms loved your performance…It was a truly fun and inspiring time with you in the Sukkah.

Tracy Daniels
Director Women’s Philanthropy / Program Manager, PJ Library / UJA Greenwich, CT
Katchko-Gray can reproduce “ that old sound” by calling on melodies she received personally in true oral tradition.
Scales Out of Shul May 2007

Hazzan Deborah Katchko-Gray supported by flutist Mattan Klein and Seeds of Sun…just rocked the house and blew the roof off of Beth Judah for almost two hours. A mix between Mid-East, Israeli, Jewish pop, cantorial, Yiddish and kid-family friendly favorites..add to that a rather hot Israeli jazz trio and you have an explosive, energetic reaction. Everyone was clicking on all cylinders and the crowd ate it up.

Debbie is the real deal and can deliver it all. She has a powerful and sweet voice that works well in various styles and involved us locals nicely.

Hazzan Alan Smolen
If a teacher had but one student- you- it would be Dayenu!……your songs bring joy to my heart!
Elie Wiesel

Best Day Ever!

Thank-you for being such a special part of our wedding weekend!

Your music and spirit helped make it truly the best day…ever!

Ari and Darren Leva
If your tastes run to such classics as Yerushalayim Shel Zahav and you enjoy everything from Sephardic to Yiddish to contemporary pop, Katchko’s soprano renditions and acoustic rhythms are the perfect musical menu for you. Her inspiring version of , ” The Place Where I Belong” will have you singing along.
Hadassah Magazine

Our Wedding Ceremony was PERFECT!

Derek and I want to thank you! The wedding ceremony was perfect! We got so many compliments on the ceremony! They loved the songs you sang, the Jewish traditions and how it was personalized for Derek and I.

Thank you so much for everything! We really appreciate everything you have done for us leading up to as well as on the wedding day.

Jessica (Moll) and Derek Sanderoff
Just this morning, we were privileged to have our colleague, Deborah Katchko-Gray, as our guest artist/scholar at my temple in Amenia, New York. In addition to her co-officiation with me at the worship service, she presented the program, “Gems of my Grandfather: Music, Ideas, and Visions of Cantor Adolph Katchko,.” as part of our adult education. Although almost all of us have been deeply influenced by the music of Adolph Katchko, Deborah added a dimension of insight, examples I have never heard before, and even a duet of “Adonai Malach” which was truly inspiring. I would wholeheartedly urge you to consider Deborah as a scholar-in-residence or a guest lecturer. The congregation could not have been more moved or appreciative of this excellent program.
Rabbi/Cantor Jon Haddon
Deborah Katchko is such a wonderful gift to our festival!
Berna Hayden
National Children’s Choir Director
Finding Family Through Song”- A Story – The presentation given by Cantor Katchko-Gray of Temple Shearith Israel of Ridgefield, CT on Thursday October 29th, 2009 was a remarkable presentation. This was an inspiring and moving story of music, faith and family beautifully told. We think it was definately one of the very best programs that the Mary Brewster Fund has offered!
Zayne McFarlane
Nurturing our family’s Jewish identity is an art, rather than a science. Fortunately people like Deborah Katchko can help. Her three cds offer a rich array of traditional and contemporary Jewish music suffused with her warm and welcoming spirit.
Jewish Woman Magazine
Your American Jewish Songbook selections were a perfect blend of English, Yiddish and Hebrew-appreciated by all. Your stage presence and hamische introductions of hte band and the songs added and extra measure of charm to the beauty of your voice and the wonderful sounds of your group. Your lead guitarist David, and the pianist were particularly outstanding……we were all blown away by the warmth and family feeling you created on our stage/bimah.!!
Steve Stein, MD
I find you to be a first-rate hazzan and a consummate artist…your cds are a shining example of what we should aim to emulate.
Cantor Pinchas Spiro (of blessed memory)
Impressively eclectic, Deborah Katchko – another pioneer female cantor puts a refreshing, colorful spin on quintessentially Jewish songs and stories. Drawing upon Middle East rock, Country Western and traditional and contemporary Jewish melodies, Katchko’s powerful voice can sound both sensual and spiritual.
Hadassah Magazine
In telling her story of living history and astonishing discovery, Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray brings to life the love and faithfulness of holocaust survivors and the generations who remember them. People of faith will be embraced by Cantor Debbie’s generous spirit, learn first hand about the important of remembrance and rekindle their hope for a peaceful world.
Reverend Marc Delcuze
Thank-you again for a wonderful concert- Inspiring, beautiful and fun!
Alan Feld
One of our most successful Scholar – In – Residence programs ever ! She brings an accomplished voice, and a lively spirit that will fill your synagogue with music and joy. Cantor Debbie led Friday night and Shabbat morning services and a sing-along program for children and adults on Sunday morning. Her music, voice and personality enchanted all of our members.
Rabbi Martin I. Sandberg
I’ve listened to a lot of traditional Jewish holiday song recordings and most, for one reason or another should not have been made. But, this one is significantly different. First, Deborah Katchko has a warm, rich voice. Second, she sings honestly. What do I mean? There are no tricks to this recording, just Deborah and her guitar and she’s making music. Third, she includes 25 ethnic songs full of information and history. This is a Hanukkah gift for the entire family.
Washington Parent

Your Wonderful CDs

I received the CDs yesterday. They are both great! Your voice is fantastic and the kids sound delightful. I also really enjoyed the instrumental arrangements. You did a marvelous job of singing, The First Candle We Light On Hanuukah. The flute was really cool. I loved it. And the instrumetnal version of Shabbat Means with the saxophone was inspired.

Thank you so much for recording these songs and for sending me the CDs. Good luck with the sales!

Regarding Shabbat Jam and Hanukkah Songs of Light and Hope
Larry S. Kaplan ( ASCAP)
I am almost without words to say how much I enjoyed your concert at Beth El on Saturday night. You are so multi-talented and you have a beautiful radiant quality that truly glows and really touched me. I was impressed with your story telling and also with the way you shared your personal experiences and your family with us. I hope I have the opportunity to see you and hear you again! WOW-thank you !
Susan Pomerantz

Cantor-in-Residence – Wonderful Musical Weekend!

We were fortunate to have Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray at Temple B’nai Abraham as our Cantor-In-Residence for a wonderful musical weekend. Debbie led some of our services, had us singing new songs and melodies, and taught some wonderful holiday song parodies to our students, who then performed them for us at a Sunday Brunch. Oh…and we learned about her Cantorial heritage and heard some real Gems of her Grandfather’s Music. It was a homecoming of sorts as years ago, she became a Bat Mitzvah at our synagogue and her father had been one of our Cantors. Debbie connected with our members, young and old, and two of our students even asked after her Friday evening service if we could do this every month.

Rabbi Michael G. Kohn
Temple B’nai Abraham / Meriden, CT
Connecticut based Cantor Deborah Katchko has wide appeal. With a strong and soulful voice, she covers a broad range of songs in several languages, exposing us to Jewish culture from various times and places.
Boston University Alumni Magazine
This edition marks one of the most innovative, important, and creative blending of guitar and Jewish music. It surely will not take away from those Cantors who wish to chant either capella, or with piano or organ, but for those Cantors skilled in playing guitar, this will be a loving and long lasting companion which, I am sure, will touch the hears and souls of the next generation of Jews to hear this incredible music.
Rabbi/Cantor Jon Haddon
We are all indebted to Deborah Katchko Gray for this new publication which will preserve her grandfather’s music, complete with modern innovations, for generations to come to grateful practitioners of the art of HAZZANUT.
Hazzan Jacob Ben Zion Mendelson

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