Israel Portnoy
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Israel Portnoy ישראל פורטנוי | |
|---|---|
 Sruli (right) singing with Mendy (left) at a Portnoy Brothers gig | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Sruli Portnoy |
| Born | September 10, 1990 Manchester, England |
| Origin | Manchester, England |
| Genres | Jewish music, pop rock, folk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, keyboards |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | Independent |
| Website | www |
Israel "Sruli" Portnoy is an English-born Israeli singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as half of the band The Portnoy Brothers with his younger brother Mendy. He also has a solo career and has released albums as a solo artist, most notably Facing Flames ft. Guilda, which was released in the aftermath of a forest fire burning his home in the village of Mevo Modi'im.[1][2][3]
Early life
[edit]Portnoy was born in Manchester, England, as the sixth of nine children. His father is a rabbi and former orchestra conductor. He and five other siblings made aliyah to Israel as adults,[4] though, as of August 2023, Portnoy has been residing in the United States.
He and his brother Mendy studied music from a young age and began playing together around age 14, though Sruli said he began "making up songs" from as early as age 6. He originally took piano lessons, with Mendy taking guitar, before the two switched.[4]
At age 16, Portnoy moved to Israel to study at yeshiva but said that he "spent most of [his] time in [his] room with [his] guitar" and subsequently left to study at Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute and later on the Rimon School for Jazz & Contemporary Music for a year and a half before leaving to find more creative freedom. [5]
Discography
[edit]With Portnoy Brothers
[edit]- Learn to Love (2016)
- No Complaints (2019)
Albums
[edit]- Facing Flames (2021)
Extended plays
[edit]- Guilda LIVE Lookout Session (Guilda Live) EP (2023)
Singles
[edit]- "Peace of Prayer / Shalom" (2020)
- "Aura" (2023)
- "Mi Haish" (as a featured artist with Nissim Black and The Niggun Project) (2023)
- "Baby Boo" (2023)
- "Heart & Soul Medley" (Thank You Hashem, Israel Portnoy) (2024)
- "Shalom (Live at Zion Gate)" (2024)
- "IMADI" (2024)
References
[edit]- ^ "From the flames". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ "Israel Portnoy: My town was burned to the ground, but my music will continue". www.israelnationalnews.com. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ "'I left the house with my guitar and came back to ashes'". Israel National News. 26 May 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ a b Ariel Hendelman (15 September 2015). "Sibling synchronicity". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ Samuel, Adam (12 September 2024). "Israel Portnoy: Finding Strength Through Song". The Jewish Link. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
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