PLAYING IN THE BAND
MATT SILVER | JE STAFF
W hen I was young, really young, I only wanted to be a
bandleader. As a preschooler at Temple Sinai in Dresher, I
used to hand out my father’s business cards and book my
classmates’ bar and bat mitzvahs.

My paternal grandparents encouraged me to sing Fiddler on
the Roof medleys in public places, and by encouraged I mean my
grandmother would bribe me with pickles she’d take from Jack’s
Deli in the Northeast, wrap in a napkin and stick in her purse in
anticipation of this bribery scheme. I loved pickles.

As a toddler, I would show up to contemporaries’ birthday parties
and ask the attending adult straight away, “Will there be any Jewish
music here?” If the answer was no, I was out of there. It’s taken years
of introspection, but I’ve come to realize this was not my fault.

My first job was working for my father, who, for the better
part of my childhood, was a bandleader — or, put more crudely, a
wedding singer.

My job was to lug the band’s equipment. The official job title
was schlepper. He employed a minyan’s worth of schleppers over
the years. Some were strong, none looked it; some smelled, all
looked like they would. Some drank, some smoked, some were
suspected of being high (never substantiated). All were Jewish.

(I’m not sure if that was just coincidence or because Jewish kids
were more likely to understand the meaning of the word schlepper
and, thus, their role). And all were overworked and underpaid, by
their own unique interpretations of supply and demand.

From left: Ken Silver, Eddie Bruce, Susan Moses and Joey Roberts
Courtesy of Ken Silver
My younger brother and I both worked dozens and dozens of
dates as schleppers. If you wanted the job done fast, call Jon Silver;
if you wanted the job done right, call Matt. My brother recently
told me, air of lamentation in his voice, that he still believes this to
be the crucial distinction that characterizes us. I’d rather have his
penchant for economy and his vocal range (he maintains a side gig
as “San Diego’s Sinatra”).

My father, back when you might’ve
known him, was Kenny Silver the
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bandleader. To friends and family these
days, it’s Ken, or Dad, or the Silver Dragon;
it’s only Kenny to my mother when she
doesn’t like him. And to those he serves
now, it’s Principal Silver.

We're here to celebrate all your Simchas
Principal Silver, much like Kenny Silver,
is affable, thoughtful and funny-on-the-
goofy-side-of-funny. He’s a guy parents like
and an elementary school principal that
little children don’t fear. Which is really
impressive considering how childhood
often perceives its first official authority
figures. He’s a musician by training, sensibility and
temperament, if not prodigious talent and
Carnegie Hall-level dedication to practice.

Photo by
Photo by
Photo by
Tallia Orange
Michael Kors
Andrew Marc
At 28 (in the late ’70s), he became one of the
youngest school administrators in the state
Family owned and operated for 116 years
of Pennsylvania, before abandoning his post
in the Abington School District a year later
Since 1902
to play music with his Philadelphia-area
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party band full time. This did not thrill his
2537 S Broad Street
in-laws. The Ken Silver Orchestra became the
Philadelphia, PA 19148
hottest band on Philadelphia’s tony party
circuit for the better part of the next 20
215-468-0564 years. Weddings, bar mitzvahs, lavish
Now carrying shoes
corporate soirees. The bacchanalia of the
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Main Line country club scene, every big
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18 OCTOBER 24, 2019
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