“The Flute That Brought Me Back” – Barak Grossberg’s Personal Tribute to R’ Avi Piamenta
Singer Barak Grossberg pays a personal tribute to the legendary Chabad singer, R’ Avi Piamenta, who returned him to teshuvah through his hypnotic music. “I found myself standing at the entrance to the Chabad House on King George Street. I remember thinking, What do I have to do with Chabad? But the music was magnetic, so I walked in” • Full Story
By Barak Grossberg, Translated by Chabadinfo
The flutist who brought me back to Yiddishkeit. My teacher. The sweetest man in history — R’ Avi Piamenta — has passed away, leaving us shocked and heartbroken.
I first met Avi when I was a child, during the 2006 comeback tour of the Piamenta Brothers, produced by my father. Yossi Piamenta, the legendary guitarist, had returned to Israel, and I had the privilege of playing live with them at the Barby Club. Yossi passed away in 2015.
My father, Shaul Grossberg, sheyichye, was the original producer of the Piamenta Band back in 1975, before they moved to New York and became Chassidim of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Still, none of that brought me to teshuva—until 2012. After a long period exploring Buddhism and various spiritual paths, one day I heard a familiar sound coming through my window: the flute of Avi Piamenta. I recognized it instantly, got dressed, fixed my long hair, and followed the music.
I found myself standing at the entrance to the Chabad House on King George Street. I remember thinking, What do I have to do with Chabad? But the music was magnetic, so I walked in. It was the night of Yud Tes Kislev. After the performance, a Farbrengen began in honor of the Yom HaGeulah — hosted by the “Mimaleh Mamash” Chabad House. I was captivated. I stayed. I was absorbed. And I’ve stayed ever since — all because of Avi’s flute.
Later, I merited to visit the Rebbe’s court in Crown Heights together with my mother (a story in its own right), and the moment we walked into 770, Avi Piamenta was on stage performing at a Chai Elul event. A full circle, closed.
A few years later, an editor from Mishpacha magazine heard our story by chance. We were invited for a joint feature — it became a cover story, complete with a short film.
From there, we produced a collaborative song and music video titled OMG, telling our story in music. It was covered in the press, on radio, and across the media. We performed together throughout the country and accomplished so much.
Avi — you were my teacher. I will never forget you. It’s heartbreaking.
At last, you are reunited with your dear brother Yossi.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
70
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