20 | DECEMBER 10 • 2020 

A 

version of the song “Chanukah, Oh 
Chanukah” offers a unique sound 
 this year — reggae and soul. It is 
heard on a recording made in the California 
music studio of David Garfield, producer, 
arranger and keyboardist. 
The number retains the familiar words 
sung in Hebrew and English by Sam Glaser, 
a performer who specializes in Jewish songs 
and has appeared many times at religious 
celebrations in Michigan. 
Lee Oskar, who worked with the band 
War, plays the harmonica, and Larry 
Klimas, who has worked with the band 
Chicago and Neil Diamond, is on saxo-
phone. Other musicians are Israeli Oz Noy, 
Tim Pierce and Andy Bassford (guitars); 
Freddie Washington (bass); Steve Ferrone 
(drums); and Kevin Ricard (percussions). 
The Chanukah song is the one Jewish 
track on the album “Holidays Outside 
the Box,
” which gives some new sounds 
to familiar religious and seasonal ballads, 
including “Let It Snow” in contemporary 
jazz and “Sleigh Ride” in calypso.
Five languages are represented — English, 
Hebrew, Italian, Spanish and Polish.
“I was approaching 60 when I got the 
idea to record and collaborate with leg-
acy musicians and artists,
” said Garfield, 
who has worked with musicians such as 
Motown’s Smokey Robinson. 
“I had three Christmas songs out in the 
same year, and the big question for me 
was whether to do a Christmas album or 

a holiday album. Because of my Jewish 
background, I decided on holidays. It 
became a challenge because we don’t have 
a lot of Chanukah songs. Maybe I’ll write a 
Chanukah song.
”
Because of the pandemic, Glaser, based in 
California, sang in his own studio. 
“I’ve done Chanukah concerts, and I like 
taking ‘Chanukah, Oh Chanukah’ to a new 
level with the reggae sounds,
” said Glaser, 
57, a colleague and friend of Garfield and a 
recording artist since he was 11. He counts 
some 25 albums to his credit.
“
A great melody is eternal, and this 
Chanukah song has that quality,
” said 
Glaser.
“I’m sure the author never intended 
‘Chanukah, Oh Chanukah’ to 

be a reggae song, but I think this melody 
will help it reach a new audience. There’s 
something beautiful, inspiring and heartfelt 
about exploring heritage.
”
Independent of this project, Glaser has 
released the recording “Sam Glaser’s Rockin’ 
Chanukah Revue.
” Locally, he appeared at 
Adat Shalom Synagogue for a Lots of Latkes 
party.
Garfield looked for an internation-
al group of musicians to perform for 
“Holidays Outside the Box.
” This recent 
album is among a series of “Outside the 
Box” recordings that focus on a range of 
music.
Legendary musicians featured through 
the recording add their talents to “O Holy 
Night” with vocalists Jacob Scheff, 
who worked with the band 
Chicago, and Robbie Wyckoff, 
who worked with Pablo Cruise. 
Nick Lane, strings arranger for 
“
Ave Maria,
” has been associated 
with Chicago and Rod Stewart. 
Besides producing his own 
recordings, Garfield works free-
lance. During the pandemic, he is perform-
ing on Zoom from his own studio, and his 
work can be accessed at davidgarfield.com, 
where the holiday recording also can be 
accessed.
Although Garfield has not worked in 
Michigan, he visits the state to see his 
brother Stanley, who lives in 
Northville. 

A New Take on an Old Song

“Chanukah, Oh Chanukah” gets a reggae twist.

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CHANUKAH

Sam Glaser, 

David Garfield 

and others in 

concert last year

Details:
Listen to “Chanukah, 
Oh Chanukah” 
on YouTube Music, 
Apple Music 
or Spotify.

Sam 

Glaser

SAMGLASER.COM

