Oded David “Dedi” Graucher, better known professionally as Dedi, was an Israeli Orthodox Jewish singer. Born in 1961, Dedi passed away on 11 September 2023, at the age of 62, after a battle with cancer. He was a prominent figure in Jewish music, contributing through his distinctive voice and collaborations with various composers and musicians. This article seeks to provide an in-depth look at his life, music career, and personal life.
Early Life and Background
Little is known about Dedi’s early life, but his talent for singing became evident at a young age. Born into an Orthodox Jewish family, he was deeply rooted in religious and traditional values. These elements would later become significant aspects of his music career.
Music Career
Initial Steps
Dedi began his musical journey providing back-up vocals for Mordechai Ben David’s albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This initial exposure to the music industry gave him a foothold that he would later build upon to create his own successful career.
Collaborations and Albums
One of Dedi’s early collaborations involved performing with Mordechai Ben David at two Sukkot concerts in Israel in 1995. The first concert was held in Haifa and drew an audience of 3,000, while the second was at Yad Eliyahu Stadium in Tel Aviv, attracting a crowd of 10,000 people.
His repertoire included songs like “Hebron” and “Lo Nazuz Mipo” (“We Will Not Move From Here”) featured on the album Hebron’s Song of Songs.
Dedi collaborated with many renowned composers such as Yossi Green, Rabbi Boruch Chait, and Abie Rotenberg. The music on his albums was arranged by a host of talented individuals including Moshe Laufer, Mona (Moshe) Rosenblum, Suki Berry, Yisroel Lamm of the Neginah Orchestra, and Ruvi Banet.
Concerts and Performances
Over the years, Dedi was featured in several HASC “A Time for Music” concerts, including:
- HASC 6 in 1993
- HASC 15 in 2002
- HASC 20 in 2007
- HASC 23 in 2010
- HASC 25 in 2012
In 2004, he joined Yerachmiel Begun and the Miami Boys Choir for their 26th anniversary celebration, a concert entitled “Miami and Dedi”. The concert was later released on CD and DVD formats. Dedi also appeared on a number of all-star cast albums produced by Suki & Ding, as well as Gideon Levine.
Personal Life and Death
Dedi lived with his wife Malka in Petah Tikva. Their son, Rabbi Aviel Graucher, followed in his father’s footsteps as a music arranger and composer.
Tragically, Dedi passed away from cancer on 11 September 2023, at the age of 62.
Legacy
The loss of Dedi was deeply felt in the Jewish music community and beyond. With a career spanning several decades, he left an indelible mark on the world of music. His collaborations with other artists and composers, as well as his own albums, will continue to be celebrated as significant contributions to the genre. His unique voice and emotive performances touched the hearts of thousands, leaving a lasting legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
Dedi’s life story stands as a testament to the power of music to touch souls and bring people together. His contributions to Jewish music and culture will not be forgotten, and his legacy will live on through his recordings, performances, and the many artists he inspired.
