Moshe Hecht.

The name Moshe Hecht, while relatively unknown to the secular music scene, inspires a passionate response from concertgoers. “He’s not simply a singer or songwriter,” proclaimed a newly minted fan after a concert in Oxford, England. “He inspires.”

Born into a Chassidic family, Moshe Hecht grew up striving to define himself while staying true to his faith. He turned to singing and songwriting to put the pieces together. Moshe’s music draws inspiration from folk, rock, reggae and Chassidic melodies. His lyrics are poetic, honest, and confident, complimented by an aged voice.

Moshe and his Moshe Hecht Band gained renown within his community after the 2008 tragedy in Mumbai where a young Chassidic couple was murdered by terrorists. His song, “Lamplighters,” was a inspired many Jews who felt helpless in the face of this terror. Since then, Moshe has built a strong community following. While Moshe’s debut album, Heart is Alive, is set to launch in September, his pre-released single “Believers” is available now. He regularly plays with his band in New York City and has recently been touring in anticipation of his debut album launch.

Moshe sees importance in seeking to understand why he writes and performs. Moshe’s dream, he says, is “to inspire people to connect with their roots in a natural yet powerful way. These roots and values aren’t unique to the Jewish people… Any person of faith will find power and inspiration in my music.”

Hecht’s “inspirer” effect is the primary common thread weaving through an otherwise diverse collection of songs. From the calling-out, folksy “When I’m In Need” to the rock-inspired “Song of Zion,”his debut album Heart is Alive features catchy guitar melodies and well-blended harmonies complimented by Hecht’s original songwriting.

While most of the album was produced in Seattle by seven-time Emmy winner and Grammy nominated producer Steven Ray Allen, it also features “Inspire Me,” a bluesy number produced in New York that features Hecht’s own band, a mix of talented young musicians who have performed with him around the world.