The Rev Leo Bryll  was born in Kishniev, Bessarabia in 1906, during a pogrom. He was widely regarded as a child prodigy and sang from a very early age.

He started studying music formally at the age of 13 and was soon appointed choirmaster at his local synagogue.

In order to further his musical studies he travelled to Russia, France, Belgium, Italy and Ireland, and he gave public performances, not only in Cantorial singing, but also of Opera, oratorio and other secular genres. For these performances he used other names such as Leonid and Brylli.

During the time he studied at the Irish Academy of Music he was awarded gold and silver medals for singing. In the early part of his career he sang as a baritone, and he performed in Elijah while he was in Ireland. As he matured his voice lightened and he retained the ability to sing even to top 'C' at an advanced age!

At the age of 25 he was appointed Chazan to the Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation where he officiated at the famous Middle Street Synagogue.

He remained there for just five years and then went to another prestigious post in the Bayswater  Synagogue in London where, in competition with fifteen other applicants,  he succeeded the Rev David M Klein. He remained until he resigned over a matter of principle in 1955.

He became Chazan to the then fledgling congregation of Marble Arch, in London, and then served as its choir master until 1963.

The Rev Bryll was lecturer in Chazanut at Jews' College, for more than 32 years, and he was justifiably proud of the fact that pupils of his served congregations throughout the world.

He served as honorary musical director of Chazan Association of Great Britain and was the conductor and musical arranger of its very fine choir.

Rev Bryll was an outstanding accompanist and was well-known by every Chazan of note in the world, who would call upon him to accompany them when they visited the UK for concerts. He also was a frequent accompanist of the London Jewish Male  Voice Choir.

He was also a talented amateur actor, and specialised in delivering Yiddish monologues.

Rev Leo Bryll died at his home in London at the age of 79.