Avi Maza had an unusual request from a bride for the music she wanted for her chuppah: Hebrew lyrics to her choice of secular pop songs. While Maza was already familiar with Hebrew lyrics to the bride’s song “A Million Dreams” from the movie “The Greatest Showman,” her other choices required a bit more creativity. The bridesmaids ultimately walked down the aisle to the melody of Frankie Valle’s “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,” with lyrics Maza adapted from going through the siddur. The bride’s grandfather had recently passed away, and Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” was one of his favorite songs. The kallah’s grandmother walked down the aisle to “My Way” with Maza’s Hebrew lyrics. That’s just one way Maza customizes music for his clients.
Maza is the band leader of the Avi Maza Orchestra that consists of a core group of musicians and a network of talented performers capable of performing the best in all musical genres. Of course, the orchestra is well versed in simcha classics. Israeli pop is a growing genre requested by many couples. Maza keeps track of what’s trending and learns the songs to meet the preferences of his clients. If you want popular American/English secular music, Maza delivers.
In addition to his superb musicians, Maza has DJs who will spin the hits clients want with flair. When Maza meets with a couple, he gets to know them and their tastes to make recommendations they’ll love. In addition to their requests, he offers suggestions from his knowledge of music and what he sees people respond to from all the simchas where his band performs.
“The Jewish music industry has exploded,” said Maza. “New music is being produced all the time.” While many people will still request Shlomo Carlbach classics, music by famous American and Israeli religious artists including Benny Friedman, Ishay Ribo, Simcha Leiner and Mordechai Shapiro are popular. A big hit out of Israel, “Tamid Ohev Oti” by Sasson Shaulov is now a staple of the band’s playlist. Another firmly established trend is for people to hire specific premier singers along with the band. Maza will coordinate when a couple has a request or make suggestions after learning the client’s style and budget.
Maza was drawn to music from an early age. He got serious about music as a student at Yeshiva University, and played in the YU jazz ensemble. He began playing engagement parties and following and then performing with some of the top religious wedding bands. He soon started his own band and kept growing. His son, Seth, has followed in his footsteps. Seth was a child prodigy, said his father, and is now a highly sought after musician. Seth began playing keyboards at age 4 and by elementary school was playing the whole repertoire of Jewish music. Maza recalled a time when a client wanted a keyboard player but did not want to spend too much money. He sent in 7-year-old Seth, who played the keyboard and wowed the crowd. Today, Seth plays in his father’s band while producing his own original music and collaborating with other top-tier Jewish music performers, including Mordechai Shapiro.
From his vantage point as the band leader, Maza keeps an eye on the flow of a simcha and takes the lead in coordinating when necessary. If you have never made a simcha, you may think that it comes together by itself, but there’s a lot of work behind the scenes. Each simcha is different.
Some people have dedicated party planners who manage it all. At some events, the caterer will make sure everyone knows the timing. Maza plays at weddings where each vendor knows his part but not how they all come together. When that happens, Maza steps in to communicate with all the parties so the photos, bedeken, chuppah, dinner and music all happen on time seamlessly.
When you call Maza at the beginning of the planning process, he’s happy to share his expertise in all areas of making a simcha. “Call me when you have a date and I can help with vendor suggestions,” said Maza. “I can give you suggestions for venues beyond traditional wedding halls.” He’s also happy to make recommendations about the best way to arrange the rooms at the chosen venue, like where to put the mechitza. “I have different insights and I’m glad to give you the benefit of my experience,” he said. “It’s all about nurturing relationships.” After booking, Maza advises meeting at least two months in advance of a wedding date. As the date approaches, he will make decisions with the couple about the music and confirm all the details prior to the event.
In addition to weddings, Maza arranges entertainment for bar and bat mitzvah parties. He can put together the complete package: DJ, motivators, photo booths and more. For a montage, clients can give him their photos and he will put them together with music. He can also provide the equipment to showcase the montage at the party, along with any other lighting and audiovisual equipment required. For a weekend celebration, Maza can arrange an a cappella group for Shabbos and Havdalah and an afternoon of Shabbos friendly games. A Melave Malka can continue the celebration with live music or a DJ.
Maza is having a busy January and the calendar is filling up for the spring and summer and beyond. For more information, or to inquire about available dates, visit www.avimazaorchestra.com; contact (888) AVI-MAZA (284-6292); and follow on social media @avimazaentertainment.
Bracha Schwartz is special sections editor at The Jewish Link.
