Michael Heimlich
KOL SASSON (Joyful Voice) - Whether it's original settings of biblical texts, American folk tunes, or songs of modern Israel, Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) harmony and energy will make you want to clap your hands, tap your feet, and add your joyful voice to theirs. The studio recording of "Hinei Ma Tov (How Good It Is)", (Hebrew and English Text: Psalm of David 133:1, Isaiah 2:4; Music by Michael Heimlich) is from the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival album "Close Harmony Close Friends", marking 20 years of Kol Sasson's spirit and passion for songs that capture prophetic messages of freedom, justice and peace. Members of Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) are Rob Weinberg, Susie Fox Lorge and Michael Heimlich. www.JewishFestival.org SHAKSHUKA - Shakshuka delivers a unique and eclectic blend of Israeli and Sephardic-Mizrahi World music spiced with jazz, rock and Latin influences. www.shakshuka.com Members of Shakshuka are Rachel Rosenberg, Steve Yastrow, Chuck Rosenberg, Shimon Levi, Levi Yastrow, Michael Heimlich, Ari Rosenberg and Packy Lundholm. MICHAEL HEIMLICH (Electric Bass, Keyboards, Tof/Dumbek Drum and Vocals) is a versatile performing and studio musician, often appearing as a guest artist for community events. He is active in many Chicago area nonprofit and professional organizations, and has been on the Steering Committee for the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival since its inception in 1980. For more than three decades Mike has been a member of the Chicago-based American-Jewish folk music group Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice), www.JewishFestival.org, and regularly appears with Israeli-Sephardic-Mizrahi world music band Shakshuka (www.Shakshuka.com), performing in concerts for Jewish community events across North America. His music, including an original musical setting “Hinei Ma Tov ( How Good It Is)”, has been broadcast on the nationally syndicated version of Rich Warren's The Midnight Special WFMT 98.7FM Chicago, and he has been interviewed on WBEZ-FM 91.5 Chicago Public Radio and other stations. Television appearances have included ABC 7 Chicago morning news, JUF Telethon, Chicago Board of Rabbis programming, local cable and network affiliate news and public affairs shows. Mike also appeared in national and international television, newspaper and other media coverage with his onstage, electric bass musical participation in Freedom Sunday for Soviet Jewry on The Mall in Washington, D.C., a gathering of over 250,000 people on December 6, 1987 which included opening and closing ceremonies, remarks from U.S. Senators, foreign dignitaries, business and labor leaders, the Vice President of the United States and keynote addresses from recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. Over the years Mike has performed with nationally known artists such as Peter Yarrow and (the late) Mary Travers (of folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary), New Orleans clarinetist Pete Fountain, jazz vocalist Billy Daniels, Broadway performer and movie actor Mike Burstyn, Irish tenor and actor Dennis Day, Orlando Murden (songwriter of “For Once In My Life”), American Jewish singer-songwriters Debbie Friedman, Jeff Klepper (and Kol B'Seder), Moshe Shur, Rick Recht, Rabbi Joe Black, harmonica virtuoso Howard Levy, and guitarists Fareed Haque and Jack Cecchini. He regularly performed with jazz pianist and arranger/producer Les Tucker, comedienne-singer Beverly 'Pudgy!' Wines, actress-singer Sheila Ray Ceaser, drummers-percussionists Chante Hamilton, Morris "Mo" Jennings, Alejo Poveda, Geraldo de Oliviera, and Dede Sampaio, violinists Ruby Harris and Stuart Rosenberg, plus many cantors, musicians, choirs, singers and wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, 'simcha' and synagogue worship bands playing a wide variety of American, Israeli, Mizrahi, Sephardic, Klezmer, Yiddish, folk, jazz, pop, rock, Broadway, classical and various ethnic, world music styles. Recordings on which Michael has appeared include Kol Sasson CDs "Close Harmony Close Friends", "Eclectricity", and "Songs Across The Years"; Greater Chicago Jewish Festival compilation albums of live recordings (and serving as co-producer) including "Cool Jewish Music On a Hot Summer Day", "Sunshine and Jewish Stars", "Outdoor Jewish Music", and "The Sun, the Lake and the Jewish Stars". Other studio session recordings include piano-keyboards for "Songs for Chanukah", a companion recording for the children's book and film "There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush Sandy Goldstein" by Susan Sussman; "To See The World Through Jewish Eyes" album project of the URJ (UAHC). Other live recordings include "When Three Stars Came Out - Debbie Friedman, Kol Sasson, Cantor Jeff Klepper in Concert" OSRUI.org 40th anniversary concert. His music education included course work in jazz piano at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, music theory and sound recording production at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He was a member of the Young Illini Orchestra playing in musical variety shows at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, was bass player for the Les Tucker Trio in night clubs on Rush Street, and in the rock band Full House. Prior to that time he was featured piano soloist in the Niles North (Thelma Wilcox, director) and Bowen (Ralph Wilder, director) High School Orchestras, as well as the Young Judea Symphony Orchestra (Mary K. Rosen, director). Winning a national competition Mike was the featured Farfisa (Ancona Italy) electric organ soloist, plus dance ensembles and vocals piano and guitar accompanist on a six country European tour with Talented Teens USA. Mike was involved in the founding of Solid Sound Recording Studio, and as a member of the Highland Park High School Bandstand parent organization served as a chaperon for HPHS Bands Wind Ensemble & Jazz Band performance tours including to Beijing and Shanghai China. A native of Chicago’s Southeast Side, Michael currently lives in north suburban Northbrook, is a marketing consultant, member of ASCAP and Illinois CPA Society.
Northbrook, IL
Music
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Videos
8th night Hanukkah חנוכה Chanukah (Rededication) 2025 holiday lights-menorahs-music
Watch on YouTubeOseh Shalom (Klepper) w/bass Michael Heimlich
Watch on YouTubeLast-8th night-day Hanukkah חנוכה Chanukah (Rededication) 2024-2025 holiday lights-music
Watch on YouTubeOh Hanukkah / Madrigal of Latkes (Live) by Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice)
Watch on YouTube"Oh Hanukkah" song-music Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) Happy Chanukah חנוכה שמח Reel-Video-Short 1 of 3
Watch on YouTubeOh Hanukkah / Madrigal of Latkes (Live) (Music-Lyrics: Traditional; “Madrigal”: B. Aronin) by Kol Sasson (Joyful Vo
Watch on YouTubeWeave Me The Sunshine (P. Yarrow) Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) live performance
Watch on YouTubeHinei Ma Tov - How Good It Is (M. Heimlich) Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) live performance
Watch on YouTubeHinei Ma Tov (How Good It Is) (Music M. Heimlich) to YouTube by CD Baby Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) studio recording
Watch on YouTube"Oh Hanukkah" song-music Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) Happy Chanukah חנוכה שמח Reel-Video-Short 2 of 3
Watch on YouTubeShakshuka - Oseh Shalom - Skokie Theatre Live
Watch on YouTubeShakshuka "Oseh Shalom" (at 3:30) Chicago Jewish Festival 2016 Live Music Outdoor Stage
Watch on YouTubeMi Yimalel (Who Can Retell, Trad. Hanukah, ending) by Shakshuka
Watch on YouTube"Oh Hanukkah" song-music Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) Happy Chanukah חנוכה שמח Reel-Video-Short 3 of 3
Watch on YouTubeLichvod HaChanukah - Yodim Atem (Do You Know, Trad. Hanukah Folk - Bialik) Shakshuka live performance
Watch on YouTubeShakshuka "Chemdat Yamin" (at 14:10) Chicago Jewish Festival 2022 Live Music Outdoor Stage Performance
Watch on YouTubeOseh Shalom (Make Peace, N. Hirsh) - Sim Shalom Aleinu (Grant Peace To Us) Shakshuka live performance
Watch on YouTube"Hold Fast To Dreams" Kol B'Seder-Michael Heimlich, Bass
Watch on YouTubeMaoz Tzur - Rock of Ages (Trad. Hanukah) Shakshuka live performance (clip 1 of 2)
Watch on YouTubeSing-Along 60s “Gloria - Can’t Buy Me Love - Hang On Sloopy” (60 second sample) by Bruce and Heim
Watch on YouTubeBJBE Shabbat Service Honoring Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar
Watch on YouTubeVirtual Greater Chicago Jewish Festival 2020 Online
Watch on YouTubeJerusalem Medley (Hebrew) Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) in Concert
Watch on YouTubeShakshuka - Amar Amar - Skokie Theatre Live
Watch on YouTubeShakshuka - Scharchoret - Skokie Theatre Live
Watch on YouTubeMichael Heimlich interview at 2016 Greater Chicago Jewish Festival
Watch on YouTubeCowboy Jew From Mars - Cantor Jeff Klepper, with Cantor Arik Luck, Michael Heimlich, Stuart Rosenberg
Watch on YouTubeSome "Sweet Home Chicago" - jam session cover by David Robin, Bruce Romain and Michael Heimlich
Watch on YouTubeSing-Along “All My Loving” 70 seconds sampler by Back In Time with Bruce and Heim
Watch on YouTube"Love Potion No. 9" Sing-Along (excerpt) by Back In Time with Bruce and Heim at 210 Live Den
Watch on YouTube“Gimme Some Lovin’” Sing-Along 60s - 30 second sample, kazoo on Instagram - Back In Time with Bruce and Heim
Watch on YouTubeSing-Along “My Girl” (Temptations song) 30 seconds sampler by Back In Time with Bruce and Heim
Watch on YouTubeSnap-Tap-Clap and Sing Along to some “Signed Sealed, Delivered” rehearsal riffs by Bruce and Heim
Watch on YouTubeKol Sasson "Let The Heavens Be Glad" (R. Weinberg) 2010 Greater Chicago Jewish Festival 30th Anniversary "House Band"
Watch on YouTubeGreater Chicago Jewish Festival 2018 Highlights - music: "Let The Heavens Be Glad" (R. Weinberg) by Kol Sasson
Watch on YouTube“All My Loving” Sing-Along at 210 Live Den (60-seconds sampler) by Back In Time with Bruce and Heim
Watch on YouTube“Can’t Buy Me Love” Sing-Along by Back In Time with Bruce and Heim at Rock House Glenview
Watch on YouTube"Brown Eyed Girl" Sing-Along by Back In Time with Bruce and Heim at 210 Live Den
Watch on YouTube“Gimme Some Lovin’” Sing-Along 60s (60 second sample, kazoo) by Back In Time with Bruce and Heim
Watch on YouTube“Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” Sing-Along by Back In Time with Bruce and Heim at Rock House Glenview
Watch on YouTubeKol Sasson (at 7:20) and Community Sing-Dance (21:30) Greater Chicago Jewish Festival 2014
Watch on YouTube“Oseh Shalom” (Nava Tehila) by Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) at Greater Chicago Jewish Festival
Watch on YouTubeGreater Chicago Jewish Festival 2018; Hinei Ma Tov (How Good It Is) by Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice)
Watch on YouTube"Ani Ma'amin" music (end), Holocaust Memorial Yom HaShoah 2018 Sheerit HaPleitah Survivors 3 of 7
Watch on YouTubeCandle Lighting, Holocaust Memorial 2018 "Ani Ma'amin" music, Yom HaShoah 2018 Sheerit HaPleitah Survivors 4 of 7
Watch on YouTubePursuer of Peace (by Cantor Jeff Klepper); Michael Heimlich, bass
Watch on YouTube“I’m into Something Good” (ending) Sing-Along by Back In Time with Bruce and Heim Live at Rock House Glenview
Watch on YouTube“Hang On Sloopy” Sing-Along by Back In Time with Bruce and Heim at Rock House Glenview
Watch on YouTube"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” Sing-Along oldies 30-second sampler
Watch on YouTube“Can’t Buy Me Love” Sing-Along from Instagram- sing-along oldies sampler (ending)
Watch on YouTube“Brown Eyed Girl” Sing-Along oldies 60-second sampler
Watch on YouTube"Another Saturday Night" Sing-Along oldies
Watch on YouTube"Can’t Buy Me Love” sing-along oldies sampler (ending)
Watch on YouTubeAmar Amar by Shakshuka in Concert (Amar Rabi Yehudah, Pirkei Avot 4:27, Music: A. Nof)
Watch on YouTubeShecharchoret (Morenika, Ladino) by Shakshuka in Concert -- Concert video clip from Shakshuka live performance ...
Watch on YouTubeBeLibech (Dentro De Tu Alma, Broza) Shakshuka live performance
Watch on YouTubePower and Glory (P. Ochs) Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) live performance
Watch on YouTube"Eit Dodim" - Jeff Klepper & Band feat. Howard Levy; Michael Heimlich, bass; Dede Sampaio, drums
Watch on YouTubeDebbie Friedman - The Angels' Blessing (Live 1991) with Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice), Cantor Jeff Klepper at URJ OSRUI
Watch on YouTube"Olam Chesed Yibaneh" (ending) (music: M. Creditor) at BJBE from archived services video 2015
Watch on YouTubeIf I Had A Hammer (P. Seeger, L. Hayes; arr. Peter, Paul and Mary) Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) concert performance
Watch on YouTubeMi BaRechev Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) live performance
Watch on YouTube"Lo Alecha" Jeff Klepper; Michael Heimlich, Bass
Watch on YouTubeIf I Had A Hammer (P. Seeger, L. Hayes; arr. Peter, Paul and Mary) Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) live performance
Watch on YouTubeJerusalem Day 2016 Greater Chicago Jewish Festival featuring Shuly Nathan
Watch on YouTubeLet The Heavens Be Glad (R. Weinberg) by Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) in Concert
Watch on YouTubeOd Lo Ahavti Di Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) live performance
Watch on YouTubeAm Yisrael Chai (The People of Israel Live) Shakshuka live performance
Watch on YouTubeGreater Chicago Jewish Festival 2016 (promotional video)
Watch on YouTubeKol Sasson (Joyful Voice) at 2016 Greater Chicago Jewish Festival
Watch on YouTubeGreater Chicago Jewish Festival video 2014
Watch on YouTubeOseh Shalom Medley by Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) live performance
Watch on YouTubeLife (T. Paxton) Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) In Concert
Watch on YouTubeDebbie Friedman: Im Ein Ani Li - Im Tirtzu, Kol Sasson (Joyful Voice) live performance
Watch on YouTubeKol Sasson "Shalom Aleichem" at 3:03 Greater Chicago Jewish Festival 2008
Watch on YouTube"Ani Ma'amin" for Holocaust Memorial candle lighting ceremony Yom HaShoah 2017 Sheerit HaPleitah Survivors
Watch on YouTubeHolocaust Memorial Candle Lighting "Ani Ma'amin" arr. M. Heimlich, (Sixth Candle), Yom HaShoah, Skokie-Chicago 2015
Watch on YouTube“All My Loving” (ending) Sing-Along by Back In Time with Bruce and Heim at 210 Live - 210 Den
Watch on YouTube“Gloria” - “Can’t Buy Me Love” - “Hang On Sloopy” 60s Sing-Along Oldies Live at Rock House Glenview (IL)
Watch on YouTubeSing-Along “My Girl” (Temptations song) 80 seconds sampler by Back In Time with Bruce and Heim
