Gabor Szabo

Gabor Szabo emerged from a truly inauspicious start, having been born in Hungary just before World War II and escaping the Soviet invasion in 1956. Landing in America, he attended Berklee College of Music and quickly made a name for himself as a jazz guitarist with a sound unlike anyone else's. His unique style, blending his Hungarian roots with the psychedelic sounds of the 60s, made him a truly singular voice.

Szabo's innovative use of feedback and effects, alongside his melodic sensibilities, influenced countless guitarists across genres. He collaborated with legends like Charles Lloyd and Lena Horne, and his compositions were sampled by hip-hop artists, proving his lasting impact even after his passing. He even had a Top 10 hit with "Spellbinder," an impressive feat for a jazz instrumentalist.

Despite his Hungarian Jewish heritage, there's little to suggest Gabor Szabo actively identified or practiced Judaism in his adult life. His music was his religion, and frankly, it preached a far more interesting sermon than most.

His untimely death in 1982 at the age of 45, back in his native Budapest, cut short a career that was still evolving. While he might not have been lighting Shabbos candles, his contributions to jazz and global music certainly lit up the world.