Deckelbaum, a dentist by profession, played banjo and specialized in singing risque sea shanties during the band’s 22-year history.
By DAVID BRINNdavid deckelbaum 311(photo credit: Courtesy)
David Deckelbaum, a founding member of the Jerusalem Taverners, Israel’s first American folk and country band, died last week in Canada at the age of 71 due to complications from a stroke he suffered a few months ago.Deckelbaum, a dentist by profession, played banjo and specialized in singing risque sea shanties during the band’s 22-year history.The band, formed in 1976, was named after where pub its members met and started playing together in a jam session every Thursday night, in downtown Jerusalem. Their first official show took place after UN personnel visited the pub and invited the musicians to perform at UN headquarters in Armon Hanatziv.The Taverners performed at the annual Jacob’s Ladder Folk Festival over20 times and released four albums over the years. The band broke upafter Deckelbaum moved back to his native Canada in 2002, but theyreunited for one more show at the festival in 2007.One of Deckelbaum’s five children, Yael, has forged her own successfulmusic career as a solo folk artist and as one third of the vocal groupHabanot Nechama. While growing up, she would often perform with herfather and his band.Deckelbaum was laid to rest last Friday at Moshav Haniel.
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