Mood Mix with Moshe Groner   

By day he sells real estate, but come evening, MOSHE GRONER a Carlebach-and-Chabad-inspired kumzitzer and vocalist, is usually playing at a wedding, a sheva brachos, a bar mitzvah, siyum, or just about any place that needs a spark of good musical energy. He lives in Jackson and most of his gigs are in the Tristate area, but he and his guitar often find themselves on buses across Europe, playing music for kevarim tours

MY FAVORITE TYPE OF GIG

For me, the more interactive the better. That usually happens when bochurim are involved, so camp kumzitzes and siyumim rank high. People used to view a kumzitz as two hours of slow, heartfelt singing, but that’s changing. For me, a kumzitz also includes dancing to upbeat songs and feeling the simchah.

AN EVENT THAT ALMOST WASN’T

I was on my way to play at a fundraiser in Pennsylvania when I realized that my voice was pretty much not there. I tried the usual voice warm-ups and drinks, but it wasn’t getting any better. I called Didi Steinberg, one of the Shlepping Nachas soloists, who was coming to the event as an accompanying guitarist, and told him what was going on. He was amazing and really helped me out by singing along whenever he could. I gave it all I had, and with Didi’s help, it was actually a pretty successful event.

A SONG THAT WORKS AS AN OPENING

To start off, I’ll be looking for something that can ease people into the mood. Something simple with a six-eight beat. The Chabad Yedid Nefesh, for example, can usually work nicely.

WHEN I PLAY FOR PATIENTS

There is a young teenager in Lakewood who is unwell, for whom I and many others have played and sung. The family members are always so grateful, but I can tell you that I definitely gain more chizuk from their simchah and strength in the face of serious illness than whatever chizuk they gain from the music I bring.