Ilan Chester Biography: Album, Wife, Ethnicity, Net Worth, Songs, Age, Religion

Ilan Chester is a Venezuelan singer, songwriter, musician and record-producer whose career has covered decades and crossed genres.

Born in Israel and raised in Venezuela, he came to wider recognition by blending Venezuelan folk traditions, jazz, Afro-Caribbean rhythms and pop into his music.

His albums such as Cancionero del Amor Venezolano earned him significant acclaim and made him a respected figure within Latin American music.

Profile

• Full name: Ilan Czenstochowski Schaechter (also known as Ilan Chester)
• Date of birth: July 30, 1952
• Age: 73 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Jaffa (Tel Aviv), Israel
• Nationality: Venezuelan–Israeli
• Profession: Musician, singer, songwriter, record producer
• Parents: His father is reported as Walter Czenstochowski Hecht (1924-1997)
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Mercedes (“Merci”) Mayorca (married 2003 until her death on March 3, 2018)
• Children: Seven children
• Relationship status: Widowed
• Religion: Practitioner of the Bhakti-Vaishnava tradition (Hare Krishna movement), spiritual name Havi Das
• Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
• Net worth: USD $4 million

Early Life and Education

Ilan Czenstochowski Schaechter was born on July 30 1952 in Jaffa (Tel Aviv), Israel, into a family of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. His family emigrated to Venezuela in 1953 when he was about one year old. He studied at Colegio Moral y Luces in Venezuela.

From a very young age he was exposed to a rich mix of musical influences: Jewish, French and Italian melodies at home; Venezuelan folk music; American rhythm & blues; British rock.

At age 19 he encountered devotees of the Hare Krishna movement, and about two years later he was initiated and adopted the name Havi Das.

Personal Life

Ilan Chester’s spiritual life is an important part of his identity. He has described Krishna-consciousness as his true source of inspiration.

He was married to Venezuelan TV host and entertainer Mercedes (“Merci”) Mayorca from 2003 until her passing from cancer on March 3, 2018.He reportedly has seven children and at least two grandchildren.

He maintains residences in or has properties in Venezuela, India (for spiritual connection) and Miami, United States.

Career

Chester began his musical activity in Venezuela, participating in bands such as Sugar, Cocoa & Milk; Gerry Weil & His Band; Bacro; Syma; and Sky White Meditation.

His solo career developed strongly from the late 1970s. For example, his 1978 album Night and Daydream / Wheels of Time marked an early milestone.

Over the years he produced albums such as Canciones de Todos los Días (1983), Amistad (1984), Sólo faltas tú (1985) etc. He richly explored Venezuelan musical heritage, especially with his “Cancionero” series: Cancionero del Amor Venezolano (1998 onward) where he interpreted classic Venezuelan songs.

His music blends genres: Latin pop, Venezuelan folk, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, jazz and rock elements. In 2017 he was honored by the Latin Recording Academy with a Special Merit Award.

Net Worth

Ilan Chester have an estimated of around USD $4 million. This estimate reflects earnings from album sales, concerts/tours, royalties, and perhaps real-estate assets.

Social Media

• Instagram: @ilanchesteroficial
• YouTube: Ilan Chester

Discography

• Night and Daydream / Wheels of Time (1978)
• Por Principio… Fin (1979)
• Songs from the Future (1980)
• Canciones de Todos los Días (1983)
• Amistad (1984)
• Ilan Chester (Sólo Faltas Tú) (1985)
• Al Pie de la Letra (1987)
• Ilan En Vivo (1988)
• Opus #10 (1990)
• Un Mundo Mejor (1992)
• Terciopelo (1994)
• Ilan Chester En Vivo (1995)
• Cancionero del Amor Venezolano (1998)
• Bhakti (Devotional Chants from India) (1998)
• Ofrenda Para Un Niño (1999)
• Sinfónico – En Vivo (2000)
• Cancionero del Amor Venezolano II (2000)
• Corazón Navideño (2001)
• Ilan Canta Onda Nueva (2002)
• Cancionero del Amor Puertorriqueño (2002)
• Así (2004)
• Cancionero del Amor Venezolano III (2005)
• Tesoros de la Música Venezolana (2009)