| Nachman Fahrner | |
| Birth Date: | 21 September 1972 |
| Birth Place: | Paris, France |
| Genre: | Roots rock, Americana, rockabilly, rock |
| Occupation: | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instrument: | Guitar, vocals |
| Years Active: | 1987-present |
Nachman Fahrner (born September 21, 1972) is a contemporary religious Jewish musician in Israel. He is a convert to Judaism. Fahrner's main influences are Elvis Presley, Django Reinhardt, 1940s and 1950s blues, R&B, and rockabilly. He received encouragement from Luther Allison and was a long-time friend of French jazz guitarist Patrick Saussois. Both his musical styles and songwriting distinguish him from other religious musicians who often combine traditional Jewish music with folk/rock elements and choose their lyrics from verses from the Torah.
Fahrner started singing and playing rhythm guitar as a child after discovering Elvis Presley through his parents' record collection. He performed at school events and parties.[1]
At age eleven he began teaching himself lead guitar by playing along with records by Memphis Slim, Elvis Presley, and Luther Allison. An encounter with Allison left a profound impression on a young teenage Nachman. While shaking hands, Allison looked at their black and white hands and said, "Black and white. That is what rock and roll is all about."[2] Around this time Fahrner discovered the music of gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.[3]
Fahrner career as lead guitarist began in 1988 when he joined the Roadrunners[4] [5] a rockabilly bands with a female lead singer. In 1990, he moved to Paris and was hired by the teddy boy/rockabilly band Jim and the Beams. The band toured Europe, performing primarily for biker and rocker audiences.[1] Fahrner became part of the Parisian Gypsy jazz scene through friends Jean-Yves Dubanton and Patrick Saussois and incorporated this style into his guitar playing.[6]
By the mid 1990s, he was in demand as guest player, playing with acts such Claudia Colonna and French rockers Hotel Du Nord.[7] In 1999 Nachman, a descendant of Turkish Jews, declined an offer to join Patrick Saussois' band so that he could travel to Israel and convert to orthodox Judaism.[7] [8]
Since then, Fahrner has taught guitar and performed in Israel[9] and Europe.[10] He was the founder and leader of the Jerusalem Swing Jam"[6] He started writing songs with an emphasis on spiritual themes,[7] in particular the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.[11] In 2012 he released the album Azamra, a collection of original songs, as well as Early Recordings, volumes one and two.