Mood Mix with Yitzy Kaplowitz

He’s a singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose musical pursuits took a bit of a detour when he started medical school in 2002, but YITZY KAPLOWITZ then returned to the music scene with renewed verve, having released several singles and music videos, including collaborations with Ari Goldwag, even as he maintains his busy schedule as a professor of anesthesiology. Yitzy, who sings and plays guitar at events throughout the greater Baltimore area, says that while his music is a blend of many different styles, it’s all infused with a longing to become close to Hashem

A JEWISH MUSIC ARTIST I CONNECT TO

As a singer-songwriter, I find that I connect to Aryeh Kunstler. I really appreciate his style of music, and how he uses English to bring out many different Torahdig themes. And on the hartzig-kumzitz side, I connect strongly to Eitan Katz.

A SONG THAT GIVES ME CHIZUK

“V’afilu B’hastarah.” Especially now that we find ourselves in an eis tzarah, the song has taken on a new level of meaning. We can’t forget that the Ribbono Shel Olam is standing right beside us even if He’s concealed.

A SONG THAT HAS AMAZING, ORIGINAL VOCAL ARRANGEMENTS

Zanvil Weinberger’s version of “Aderaba.” He does a multi-octave run on the word Aderaba, ending in a whistle that’s simply incredible. His vocal command is astounding.

THE SONG I CAN’T STOP SINGING THESE DAYS 

“Tamid Ohev Oti” by Yair Elaytzur. The message of the song is simple yet powerful.  HaKadosh Baruch Hu loves us and everything He does for us is always good.  The story behind the song with Rabbi Shalom Arush is also amazing — imagine your rebbe doing a cover of the song he asked you to write!