A Schachat family affair at the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra

Acclaimed singer Colin Schachat has a love of the classic big band crooners.

By NOA AMOUYAL
ACCLAIMED BARITONE Colin Schachat performs with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (photo credit: Courtesy)
ACCLAIMED BARITONE Colin Schachat performs with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
(photo credit: Courtesy)
There are many characteristics that can skip a generation. In the case of acclaimed singer Colin Schachat, that certain trait is a love of the classic big band crooners.
Schachat, who will be preforming with two of his four sons tonight at the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, is both perplexed and amused at his youngest son, Micha’s affinity for the swing hits of his parent’s generation.
“He’s passionate about Frank Sinatra and the crooners,” Schachat chuckles. “This was my parents music!” But he’s happy to indulge the younger Schachat as they will perform a wide array of hits from the 50’s to the present with his other son Gabi.
In addition to classics like Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight,” they will also perform Michael Buble original “Home.”
The idea behind the concert, Schachat explains, is to lend “a wonderful symphonic sound to these pop songs. It’s very unusual to hear, for example, ‘The Way You Look Tonight,’ with an 80 piece orchestra.”
And Schachat who has performed in a variety of prestigious venues worldwide (including Buckingham Palace) knows the power a grandiose orchestra have.
The family affair component of the concert is something that has deeply affected Schachat. “It’s an unusual privilege to be able to perform with your children,” he said. “With all the things I’ve done in my career including high-profile events like huge concerts all over Europe at the end of the day, to sit on stage with your children beats all of that,” he said proudly.
It’s not everyday on is given the opportunity to witness a version of Israel’s Von Trapps perform songs spanning nearly 50 years of music. But tonight, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra will have a chance to do just that.