Essra Mohawk was an American singer-songwriter who recorded a dozen albums. Her best-known songs include “Sufferin’ Til Suffrage” and “Interjections!” (both from Schoolhouse Rock!), “Change of Heart” recorded by Cyndi Lauper and “Stronger Than the Wind” recorded by Tina Turner. Her second album, Primordial Lovers, was critically acclaimed. In 1969, she was signed by Reprise Records after executive Mo Ostin discovered her singing at a club in New York. The resulting album, Primordial Lovers, was later said to be “one of the best 25 albums ever made” in Rolling Stone magazine. In 2011, she provided the lead vocal for an animated short film produced by TDA Animation, about the struggle for gay rights, called “Sufferin’ Till You’re Straight”. The spot featured former Supremes Scherrie Payne and Susaye Greene on background vocals. Mohawk was a longtime advocate of peace and environmental protection.
Personal Life
Essra Mohawk was born on the 23rd of April 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
| Birth Name | Sandra Elayne Hurvitz |
| Nickname | Essra Mohawk, Sandy Hurvitz |
| Date of Birth | 23rd of April 1948 |
| Place of Birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | 11th of December 2023 (aged 75), in Nashville, Tennessee, United States (Cancer) |
| Sun Sign | Taurus |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Voice Actor |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
Genre
Folk Jazz, Blues, Avant-garde Jazz, Folk
Instruments
Vocals, Piano, Guitar, Mandolin
Labels
Elektra
Education
Essra completed her graduation from Northeast High School in Philadelphia.
Family Details
- Father – Henry (Hank) Hurvitz
- Mother – Ann Sosnow-Hurvitz
- Siblings – Unknown
Marital Status
Married
Boyfriend / Spouse
Essra Mohawk has dated –
- Frazier Mohawk –In the year 2012, Essra was married to Frazier Mohawk and they reportedly remained together until his death.
Physical Statistics
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| Weight |
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| Body Measurements |
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| Body Build | Slim |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Salt and Pepper |
| Shoe Size | 7.5 (US) |
| Dress Size | 5 (US) |
| Sexuality | Straight |
Professional Statistics
Famous For
Essra became known as an American singer, songwriter, musician, and voice actor whose discography consists of a number of albums which include the likes of Sandy’s Album is Here at Last, Primordial Lovers, Essra Mohawk, Burnin’ Shinin’, Essra, Raindance, Essie Mae Hawk Meets the KillerGrooveBand, E-Turn, Love is Still the Answer, You’re Not Alone, and Revelations of the Secret Diva.
As a Singer
In 1964, Essra’s first record, credited as Jamie Carter, was the single The Boy with the Way, backed with The Memory of Your Voice issued on Liberty Records.
Essra Mohawk Net worth
Essra Mohawk has an estimated net worth of $5 million dollars as of 2024.
Social Media Profiles
- Facebook– Essra Mohawk
Some Lesser Known Facts About Essra Mohawk
- Sandra was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was an American singer-songwriter who recorded a dozen albums.
- On April 23, 1948. her first record, credited as Jamie Carter, was the single “The Boy with the Way”, backed with “The Memory of Your Voice”, issued on Liberty Records
- In December 1968, she released her debut album titled Sandy’s Album is Here at Last as Sandy Hurvitz. She was a member of the board of Musicians and Artists for Peace and was their Nashville coordinator.
- Mohawk wrote songs for other artists including co-writing a song entitled “Infinite Eyes” with blues artist Keb Mo as well as recording and performing in concert.
- In 1993, she released six more albums after moving to Nashville; the most critically acclaimed work being “You’re Not Alone” from 2003, along with the independently released fan favorite, “Love Is Still the Answer.”
- In the mid-1970s, she provided her vocals to 3 episodes (titled – Interjections!, Mother Necessity, and Sufferin’ Till Suffrage) of the Saturday morning TV series Schoolhouse Rock!.
- Essra’s songs have been featured on the TV series Joan of Arcadia and the soap opera All My Children.
- In 2011, Mohawk did voiceover work for a short animated film titled Sufferin’ Till You’re Straight. The film was based on the struggle for gay rights.
