Is david garrett jewish

By Simon Round. If you had to work out David Garrett's occupation simply by his appearance, you would be unlikely to guess that he is one of the most gifted violinists of his generation.

David garrett classical music

With his long hair and skull ring he looks vaguely heavy metal-ish but, then again, with his Roger Federer-esque good looks he could also be a model. Garrett actually did some modelling to make a little extra money while he was studying. The looks, the laid-back manner and the charm are all part of the David Garrett story - his showmanship has made him one of the world's most bankable classical crossover stars and he is equally comfortable playing with a rock band or with a symphony orchestra.

However, his childhood was anything but rock 'n' roll - from the age of four, he spent long hours practising the violin and by eight he was regularly playing recitals. Garrett is German, born in Aachen he uses his American mother's maiden name. However, his musical education was, he insists, "almost per cent Jewish". He started to play when he picked up his brother's violin aged four.

Within a year, his father was mapping out a career for him.

David garrett in concert

Says Garrett: "My first proper teacher was Zakhar Bron, who pretty much established my technique. Ida is still a huge influence. And then there was Isaac Stern. The legendary musician spent time with the young Garrett and recognised his prodigious talent. In the end he was even more important than I knew at the time. Sometimes you need a bit of time to think about what people have said to you.