the KlezmerShack

Pittsburgh Jewish Music Festival announces its 2012 season: “Cultural Collaborations” May 20-June 3

This year the Pittsburgh Jewish Music Festival celebrates multi-cultural strands of Jewish music, from the African American influences of gospel and jazz to an interfaith Sephardic song cycle.

“Ayre”
featuring clarinetist David Krakauer with soprano Lara Bruckmann,
members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and guest artists
Sunday, May 20 7:30pm
Temple Emanuel of South Hills 1250 Bower Hill Rd.
Monday, May 21 7:30pm
Levy Hall, Rodef Shalom Congregation 4905 Fifth Ave.

Ayre – meaning "air" or "melody" in medieval Spanish – is an eclectic song cycle by Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov. Its multi-lingual texts intermingle three cultures (Christian, Arab and Jewish) as they co-existed in the late 15th-century. This “ecstatically beautiful piece” (New Yorker) blends elements like a Sephardic ballad, an Easter song, and a Sardinian protest song, into a theatrically moving work about religious harmony.
A diverse chamber ensemble features soprano Lara Bruckmann, members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and international clarinet superstar David Krakauer, returning for his third PJMF appearance. The program also includes “Der Heyser Bulgar” and Alexander Krein’s “Jewish Sketches” for clarinet and string quartet (with Krakauer) and a Sephardic work by Pittsburgh composer David Stock.

“Kosher Gospel”
with Joshua Nelson
and the Kosher Gospel Singers Thursday, May 31 7:30pm Temple Sinai 5505 Forbes Ave.
For Joshua Nelson, kosher gospel is a way to claim both parts of his identity as a Black Jew. For his audiences, whatever their faith or heritage, kosher gospel has been a revelation. Now in his early thirties, Nelson has performed around the world, for Presidents, with Aretha Franklin and the Klezmatics, and for Oprah, who named him the “Next Big Thing.” Whatever the venue, Joshua Nelson, the Prince of Kosher Gospel, brings people—and cultures—together in joyous song. Joshua is joined by his Kosher Gospel Singers and band.

“Swinging and Singing”
with the Ortner Roberts Duo
Zohar Chamber Singers, and HaZamir Pittsburgh Sunday, June 3 7:30pm
Agnes and Joseph Katz Performing Arts Center
JCC of Greater Pittsburgh 5738 Darlington Rd.

Pittsburgh’s favorite klezmer and jazz duo Tom Roberts (piano) and Susanne Ortner (clarinet) make their overdue PJMF debut paying tribute to both African American and Jewish musical legends like Scott Joplin, Louis Armstrong , Cab Calloway, and George Gershwin, whose multi-cultural collaborations influenced each other and thus elevated the art of jazz. Joining them in this unique program will be Pittsburgh jazz legend Roger Humphreys on drums and multi-instrumentalist Vince Giordano, known for recreating vintage scores for Woody Allen films and HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.
Our showcase of local talent also features the AJL’s HaZamir Pittsburgh high school ensemble and Zohar Chamber Singers, under the direction of Nizan Leibovich, performing choral works from a variety of genres and traditions.
TICKETS for all events $20 general admission, $15 seniors, $10 students
MORE INFORMATION at www.pjmf.net TICKETS available at www.proartstickets.org
(412) 394-3353
The Pittsburgh Jewish Music Festival is co-sponsored by:
United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, Temple Emanuel of South Hills, Temple Sinai, Rodef Shalom Congregation, and the Agency for Jewish Learning.