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Suddenly, without having written full reviews of the CDs on the "review me now" pile, there are several new and interesting CDs that have arrived over the last couple of weeks. As I did last September, I am going to try to get the word out and eschew, for the moment, full reviews:
Klezmer Nova / L'Entre-Deux. Every few years Pierre Wekstein surfaces with a new recording that starts with klezmer and fuses other elements of his musical life. This latest recording by Klezmer Nova features a heavy dose of jazz and Spanish melody mixed in with traditional and new yiddish/klezmer folk tunes. According to the liner notes, he is back from four years in Reunion, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. So be it. I say, "check it out" at www.klezmernova.com
Alon Yavnai and NDR Big Band / Shir Ahava. There is an explosion of excellent Israeli jazz musicians now being recorded and making a name for themselves internationally. Things have come a long way since Arele Kaminsky hosted a weekly Thursday night jam session at Pargod in Jerusalem in the 1970s—the best substitute for a country that couldn't seem to sustain an actual working jazz band. The most recent CD to cross my desk is this lovely new recording by pianist Alon Yavnai. No new territory, just excellent compositions played with excellent musicians. You can find out more about Yavnai on his website, or listen to samples/purchase the CD from CDBaby.com and other fine online vendors.
Harmonia / Hidden Legacy: Folk & Gypsy Music from Eastern Europe. I don't know where I first met Walt Mahovlich. He and fellow bandmates Steven Greenman and Alex Fedoriouk are everywhere insanely great balkan (and klezmer and Eastern European) music wants playing. But a couple of years ago I had the privilege of being Greenman's guest in Cleveland and got to see the entire Harmonia ensemble live (as well as the three aforementioned masters at a separate klezmer festival). I would happily drive back to Cleveland, or anywhere in between, to see them again. The full septet includes the stellar voice of Beata Begeniova, as well as a bass/plucked string master; sopilka and other wood flutes; and a second violin who challenges even Greenman. This new recording by Walt, Steven, Alex and the band brings back those memories and captures their sound. To paraphrase Tom Lehrer, "Don't shade your ears" &hellip get your copy from Folk Sounds Records and then come back and read the rest of these quick notes.
The gonifs. A decade or two ago when I lived in the Bay Area, I stepped out of the annual Klezmer festival in Oakland, CA and discovered several waif-like klezmorim busking at the entrance. They were great. They were the Gonifs. Lo, these many years later, Jeanette Lewicki, Peter Jaques, and a host of friends are still stealing our hearts and now we have an actual recording, one that especially features the Yiddish vocals of that mistress of street-corner Yiddish song, Lewicki, herself (also reknowned for her excellent accordion), now joined by a host of friends (including the cast of Veretski Pass). There are neat blog posts about the different songs on the Madame Levicki blog. If the all-star cast doesn't move you, consider that what got the Gonif's off the street and into the recording studio was that this is actually a benefit for the Prisoners Literature Project. So, do yourself a listening pleasure and do good at the same time, from Porto Franco Records.
Ljuba Davis Ladino Ensemble / East and West. Harking back to my years in the Bay Area, I have a definite memory of listening to Ljuba Davis, at the very least featured during a fund-raiser around the time of the Bosnian War. With a lovely, real-sounding voice and a delightful selection of traditional repertoire, she was one of the few Sephardic singers that stuck in my mind. Here it is many years later, and there is finally a recording. Not only that, but the ensemble behind her voice captures a Balkan/Spanish Sephardic sound that is perfect. This CD is one of a small (but growing!) number of traditional Sephardic music CDs worth listening to. It is also designed to learn from--in addition to a CD featuring Davis' voice, there is a second CD featuring a male voice (or just instrumental) designed to provide access to the melodies by those who want to learn to sing the songs (or who are limited by the current haredi "kol isha" fetish). The CD release party is in NYC on June 15, and the official album release is on June 12. But, KlezmerShack readers don't have to wait. You can order the CD (as well as read the lyrics, enjoy photos of the ensemble), at the Ljuba Davis Ensemble home page.
Hal Aqua and the Lost Tribe / Lost and Found. Hal Aqua, a Denver, CO-based graphic artist, has been making Jewish music for decades. Unlike many klez-revival bands, he has appeared less interest in returning to wedding sounds of yesteryear and much more interesting in playing a wide variety of Jewish music. With his latest band, the Lost Tribe, he takes things farther, often setting familiar songs back and forth to familiar-sounding melodies from rap to reggae. He also accomplishes the opposite, as on using strains from "Mezinkes Wedding" to backdrop Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues." The repertoire covers the Jewish gamut and I really like it. You can get your own copy from cdbaby.com.
Bart Weisman Klezmer Swing Group. A gentle and pleasant recording of klezmer and Yiddish Theatre songs set to pleasant, easy-listening jazz, this is very pleasant sunny afternoon simkhe music. Songs include not just Jewish, but also swing classics such as "When you wish upon a star" and "It don't mean a thing." Listen to samples and get your copy from cdbaby.com
I've been listening to the free "double EP" by this new ensemble with considerable interest. I'm not sure how to categorize it—obviously influenced by Balkan music, in general, and by modern electronica. Joe Sepharad sez, "check it out!"
I enclose a link to a new project The Sefiroth Ensemble. The group performs contemporary interpretations of traditional Sephardic music and we have just released a double-EP which available for free download here:
We will be performing at the Sephardic Music Festival in Brooklyn, NY this coming December so I am hoping to build a listenership in advance of our coming to the US.
Nick Roth,
Artistic Director,
Sefiroth Ensemble, London
E-mail Sefiroth.
Getting more into the current holiday spirit, Moussa Berlin sends the following from Lag B'Omer celebrations past at Meron, in Israel.
אוסף סקיצות מחגיגות לג בעומר במירון על רקע נגינתו של משה (מוסא) ברלין
Meron celebrations sketches with Moussa Berlin playing at background
From friends in San Francisco:
Kugelplex has received a grant from the East Bay Community Foundation to fund an epic collaboration with the renowned Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir!
The new work, composed by Dan Cantrell, will have its world premiere October 6 at Freight & Salvage in Berkeley and also be featured at OIGC's Annual Holiday Concert at the Paramount Theater in Oakland on December 1st.
There's just one little thing—we need to match the money pledged to us. This is the first time we've ever done an "ASK" on the Kugelplex list. I HATE asking for money, but this is a REALLY important opportunity for our ensemble and we need East Bay Community Foundation support to make it happen (55-member gospel choirs don't work cheap).
We have until May 25th to make the match. OIGC's community has already raised a chunk of it. Now the denizens of Kugelplex nation need to step up to the plate. Please help us make the match and, once we hit our goal, heap some more onto that pile if you're so inclined.
Check out this link for more info on the project and how to give give give:
www.oigc.org/kugelplex-match.html
You know the deal: $10... $20... $2000... it's all good and helps us reach our goal.
THANK YOU ALL FOR VALUING AND SUPPORTING OUR EFFORTS!
Moshe Berlin posted this video to the Jewish-Music mailing list, a tribute to the late klezmer and teacher in Israel, Avrum Segal, z"l who passed away just before Rosh Hashanna in 1993. The tribute was held in 1994.
Many thanks to Joel Rubin for spotting this article and posting the link to the Jewish music mailing list. It includes both music and a short discussion:
Jewish Music From Bucovina, by Miamon Miller
From Talat's Alon Nechushtan, "Reincarnation of a Niggun," as performed by the Ayn Sof Orchestra, live from the six street synagogue in downtown New York, December 24th 2011.
Alon Nechushtan - "Reincarnation of a Niggun" for Big band from alon nechushtan on Vimeo.
Daniel Ori writes:
Since the release of our Classical Melody Book, we've had many people ask in regards to Jewish sheet music on the iPhone/iPad, and we're happy to introduce this new app.
The Klezmer Melody Book comes with a free compilation of sheet music for over 100 Jewish Traditional, Religious, Klezmer, Sephardic/Ladino, Chasidic, Yiddish, Cantorial, Simcha Party and Israeli folk melodies/songs (we are constantly expanding our archive). The sheet music is reliable and clear, and provided by the well known Tara Publications (Jewishmusic.com). We have a great melody search feature that allows a quick find for any forgotten Jewish melody you may have by playing the first 6 notes of the melody. You can also import and share sheet music via email or print as well as create personalized set lists for performance.
More about the Klezmer Melody Book app at www.themelodybook.com/klezmer
Here is the iTunes store link: itunes.apple.com/us/app/klezmer-melody-book-jewish/id480554890?mt=8
The Melody Book—We are a New York based start up software development company, Our goal is to release music related applications that will enhance and support amateur and professional musicians in their creative work.
Shalom ve Toda,
Daniel Ori
Tel: 857-488-0127< br /> E-mail Daniel Ori
Registration is now open at the website for Yiddish Summer Weimar 2012 (July 21 - August 21). This summer's topic is "The bridges of Ashkenaz"—connections in song, instrumental music, dance and language between the Western European origins of Yiddish culture and its great flowering in Eastern Europe many centuries later. Whether you're a beginner, a pro, or somewhere in between, we invite you to join an incredible international community of artists, scholars and students from all walks of life. Check out the website for this year's exciting program of dance, music, song and more: www.yiddishsummer.eu
Warm greetings to all,
Alan Bern
From Sheva Zucker:
CANDLES OF SONG
Yiddish Poems about Mothers
לידערליכט
ייִדישע לידער וועגן מאַמעס willow
--------------------------------------
Dear People who are following my blog: Candles of Songs: Yiddish Poems about Mothers,
I'm pleased to tell you that audio is now available at the blog. You will be able to hear a reading of each of the poems in Yiddish (by me). You will find the recording at the very top left of each posting. The name of the poem in Yiddish is given in transliteration in blue letters followed by the word "audio". To access the audio just click on those words. I hope this will add to your enjoyment and appreciation of these poems.
Candles of song can be found at: shevazucker.com/blog
From Eric Krasner on the Jewish-Music list:
I had the pleasure of interviewing Peter Sokolow a/k/a Klezmer Fats, for a few hours in his home last week, at his piano. Here's a 3 minute peek:
I apologize for the unavoidable back-lighting in advance. Look for our Kickstarter campaign so I can hire a decent cameraman in the near future.
Eric Krasner
The Mickey Katz Project
CineGraphic Studios - CGS Films
E-mail Eric Krasner.
Last night we saw a sneak preview of a new film, Punk Jews at the MFA. It was part of the film series from the National Center for Jewish Film.
Adapting a wonderfully expansive view of the concept "punk Jew" the film featured some wonderful montages, including Gay Pride events in Israel, and also included six more focused clips ranging from "Moshiach Oi," a one band that fits the more traditional hardcore definition of "punk," (but also making the connection to outliers as we realize that bandmembers are also enthusiastic follows of Reb Nahman of Breslov), to many of our friends playing at a fringe Jewish NYC gathering called "cholent," to a segment on child abuse in the Shver UltraOrthodox community in upstate New York. Other segments included Amy the Yoga Yenta, a segment featuring Y-Love and African-American Jews, and my favorite, a closing segment featuring Jenny Romaine's "Sukkos Mob," a wonderful troupe that takes to NYC's streets during Sukkos each year. If the Boston Jewish Music Festival folks are really on their toes (something I think we can take for a given), they'll find a way to bring the Sukkos Mob to Boston next year. Imagine Yiddish street theatre in Coolidge Corner or Harvard Square! (Of course, how this would happen given the mob's post-Sukkos commitments and the fact that they are pretty committed to being in NYC for the holiday, I dunno.)
The Q&A session revealed that much of the audience identified strongly with the film's themes—a surprising number of people are really Punk Jews, or have websites connecting Punks to mainstream Jews. We are all outliers. We are all, apparently, punks.
It's a very good film. Eventually it will be released and readers of this site should make a point of seeing it. You can find out more at punkjews.com.
From Sheva Zucker, posted late, but still in time for National Poetry month:
CANDLES OF SONG
Yiddish Poems about Mothers
לידערליכט
ייִדישע לידער וועגן מאַמעס
---------------------------------------
Dear Friends, Lovers of Yiddish, poetry and/or mothers,
I invite you all to my blog
Candles of Song: Yiddish Poems about Mothers,
in memory of my mother, Miriam Pearlman Zucker, 1914-2012
Candles of song can be found at:
shevazucker.com/blog
Every week (I hope), I will post one poem about mothers by a Yiddish writer, both in Yiddish and in English translation.
The first three posting are:
Week 1: Rashel Veprinski - Piously
Week 2: Malka Heifetz Tussman - How Did You Get So Wise, Mama
Week 3: Rajzel Zychlinsky - Mama
I hope to have each new posting by 9 PM on Thursdays.
I invite you also to read my introduction either in Yiddish or in English which explains my reasons for embarking on for this project.
It is my hope that you will enjoy the poems and that they will become
something of a resource for people seeking poems about mothers.
_________________________________________________
טײַערע פֿרײַנד, ליבהאָבערס פֿון ייִדיש, פּאָעזיע און/אָדער מאַמעס,י
איר זײַט אַלע האַרציק פארבעטן אויף מײַן בלאָג
לידערליכט: לידער וועגן מאַמעס, לזכר מײַן מאַמען,י
מרים פּערלמאַן צוקער 1914־2012
לידערליכט געפֿינט זיך דאָ:י
http://shevazucker.com/blog
יעדע וואָך וועל איך (האָפֿנטלעך) אַרויפֿשטעלן איין ייִדיש ליד (פּאָעזיע) וועגן מאַמעס , סײַ אויף ייִדיש סײַ אין דער ענגלישער איבערזעצונג.
די ערשטע 3 לידער זײַנען:
וואָך 1: פֿרום - ראַשעל וועפּרינסקי
וואָך 2: ווי אַזוי ביסטו קלוג געוואָרן, מאַמע? - מלכּה חפֿץ־טוזמאַן
וואָך 3: מאַמע - רייזל זשיכלינסקי
איך וועל זיך באַמיִען אַרויפֿצושטעלן דאָס ליד יעדע וואָך ביז 9 אַ זייגער אין אָוונט דאָנערשטיק.י
די הקדמה, אָדער אויף ייִדיש אָדער אויף ענגליש, גיט צו פֿאַרשטיין דעם פֿאַרוואָס פֿון דעם פּראָיעקט.י
איך האָף אַז איר וועט הנאה האָבן פֿון די לידער און אַז דאָס וועט ווערן אַ שטיקל רעסורס פֿאַר מענטשן וואָס זוכן לידער וועגן מאַמעס.י
Sheva Zucker שבֿע צוקער
Yiddish educator and editor
Shevazucker.com
From Jeff Warschauer to the Jewish Music list:
Come to the Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow this summer!
For several years now I've had the great privilege of teaching the Yiddish Song workshop at the festival in Krakow. We truly have a wonderful time, and you will make new friends from all over the world. Here's the description for this year:
22nd Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, 2012
Yiddish Song Workshop: Answering the Big Questions Through Yiddish Songs
We all confront the big questions: What is the meaning of life? Why are we here? What shall we have for Shabbes lunch? And Yiddish songs attempt to answer these kinds of questions, too! Each year, a wonderful, international community comes together in Krakow to sing, dance, learn and have fun. All are welcome, with no previous experience necessary. Join us!
Info on the whole festival: www.jewishfestival.pl/index,en.html
From Polina Shepherd:
At last I've managed to upload a short demo of our silent film programme - you may have seen Merlin and myself accompanying these fantastic earliest cinematic representations of east European Jewish communities. Thought I could share...
soundandlightcinematicduo.wordpress.com/
Sara’s Grief “Cine-fono” magazine 1913 #25
Sara is a beautiful Jewish woman, granddaughter of the local rabbi who is loved by two brothers, Itzik and Borukh. They are sons of a wealthy Jew, Rabinovitch. They both love her deeply but she loves Itzik. Her parents consent that she marries him. Borukh loves both Sara and his brother and wishes them happiness in their family life, but he leaves the shtetl. It would have been too hard for him to keep seeing Sara and realising that she doesn’t belong to him.
Itzak and Sara are happy in their mutual love but God didn’t bless them with children, which they desperately wanted. Ten years past since their marriage but there are no children.
So Itzak’s parents and other Jewish shtetl authorities decide that they have to divorce. For her grandfather the rabbi it is a shame that his granddaughter is childless, it means that she doesn’t have God’s blessing. The authorities insist on it but Itzak fights against their opinion. Eventually he is too weak to struggle with everybody and agrees to sign the get (divorce certificate). The get has been ready for a long time, so Itzak has simply to sign it and take it to Sara. From that moment, they would be considered to be officially divorced, but the question is how to get this paper to the wife that he loves to death. She wouldn’t agree to the divorce, but the Jews have a special trick in this case; one can bring this paper to the wife using deceitful means. The most important thing is to have witnesses. As soon as she takes hold of this fateful paper and the others witness it, she is divorced.
The authorities decide to use his trick. One of them dresses as a pauper and whilst taking mitzveh geld (alms) from her, drops the document. Sara picks it up and already whilst opening the document realises that trick, too late!
She is in despair. She shares her grief with her husband but at the same moment, the Jewish authorities announce that she has to leave her husband’s house, and he is a stranger to her fro now on. This terrible outcome affects the weak Itzak so much that he takes a rope and ties it to a hook on the wall and ends his bitter existence.
Itzak was buried according to strict Jewish traditions. And Sara is inconsolable. She moans and longs and yearns and after gets seriously ill. Her father and mother invite a doctor to see their dear daughter. The doctor having examined the patient announces categorically that she is absolutely fine and is going to become a mother soon. So if Itzak had waited to define his destiny, they would both be happy.
And this is a play of ruthless fate.
My favorite Brooklyn rock band, the folks who put "transgression" into "shonde," have become much too good for niche labels. It's probably time to stop championing them as GLBT and to accept that they help fill a hole left by the breakup of Sleater-Kinney. Fine by me.
"Give Me What You've Got," is the second single off their September release, Searchlights (Exotic Fever Records, 2011). Directed by Emily Millay Haddad, the video premiered last month on Out.com!
From Sherry Mayrent:
Tayere fraynt:
When we established the Mayrent Institute for Yiddish Culture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, our hope was that our newly found institutional support would ensure a bright future for the work that Living Traditions has been doing for over two decades. While we remain confident that this goal is attainable, making the transition has been more challenging than expected. So now we need your help, and that of all those whose lives have been touched by KlezKamp over the years. Without your support, the future of this innovative and life-changing folk arts program is in jeopardy.
As you know, these are extremely challenging times for many arts and other nonprofit organizations. However, you may not be aware that KlezKamp tuition has never fully covered the costs of running the program. In order to make the event affordable, we have had to find additional support amounting to approximately $100,000 annually to cover the basic costs for the planning and organizing that continue throughout the year.
With the move to the Mayrent Institute, our limited resources are being strained more than ever. Although the University of Wisconisin will eventually help cover most of our administrative costs, KlezKamp and Living Traditions' programs need substantial support in this transitional period. And because the endowment of the Institute has not been completed, the financial foundation on which KlezKamp currently rests is dangerously unstable.
How can you help?
- Make a contribution to the newly established Adrienne Cooper Memorial Fund, which honors our beloved colleague and friend by providing support for the cultural work that was her passion. In addition to supporting the general work of Living Traditions, this fund will include a scholarship in Adrienne's name for a deserving Yiddish singer to attend KlezKamp. Please see Donate by Check or Credit Card, below:
- Tell your friends and family about KlezKamp and urge them to attend. We have always relied primarily on word of mouth. Now, more than ever, we need participants to help us keep the program viable.
- If you would like to contribute to the endowment for the Mayrent Institute, please contact the Living Traditions office and we will put you in touch with the UW Foundation to discuss your gift.
We are standing at an important crossroads for Yiddish culture. Won't you join me in taking our first steps down the road to a secure future for KlezKamp and all that it represents?
Mit a hartsikn dank,
Sherry Mayrent, President, Living Traditions Board of Directors
Associate Director, KlezKamp
DONATE BY CHECK: Please mail checks, payable to Living Traditions Inc., to:
Living Traditions Inc.
207 W. 25th St., 4th floor
New York, NY 10001.
DONATE BY CREDIT CARD: Please click on the justgive link here.
Or visit http://cts.vresp.com/c/?LivingTraditions/c54f642eda/d3ea5c6854/91cdf67b64 and click on the box at left: "Donate Using Just Give."
Thank you!
Press release from the Jewish Daily Forward:
In July of 2011, the Jewish media was abuzz with the news that JDub Records, the Jewish music label responsible for launching the careers of Matisyahu and Balkan Beat Box, was shutting down. Online forums were flooded with debates about what its failure meant for the future of New Jewish Culture. Was the Jewish philanthropic world abandoning New Jewish Culture?
On May 15, “Now What? The Future of New Jewish Culture” reignites the conversation. A unique town hall-style event, “Now What?” brings together ten experts of diverse backgrounds and experiences for a critical look at New Jewish Culture over the last ten years and the pressing issues it faces today, including changing attitudes towards American Jewish identity; waning support for quality Jewish art and culture; and strategies for cultivating Jewish art and culture in the future. This event is presented by the Posen Foundation U.S. through its new public programming initiative, Speakers’ Lab, and The Jewish Daily Forward. It is hosted by the 14th Street Y in downtown NYC.
After a decade of flourishing Jewish creativity, major Jewish cultural enterprises are being forced to scale back operations or close entirely. Using recent funding cuts as a springboard to examine the most pressing issues facing new Jewish arts and culture, “Now What?” addresses:
- New perspectives on American Jewish identity
- Waning support for quality Jewish art and culture
- Strategies for cultivating Jewish art and culture in the future
Panelists include: Jody Rosen, music critic for Slate Magazine; Alana Newhouse, Editor-in-Chief for Tablet Magazine; Elise Bernhardt, President and CEO of the Foundation for Jewish Culture; Dan Friedman, Arts & Culture Editor at The Jewish Daily Forward; and Stephen Hazan Arnoff, Executive Director at the 14th Street Y and LABA: The National Laboratory for New Jewish Culture.
Admission to “Now What? The Future of New Jewish Culture” is free. Seating is limited and pre-registration encouraged. Sign-up at www.speakerslab.org or by calling 212-564-6711 x 305.
Event and Venue Info:
The Theater at the 14th Street Y
344 East 14th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
New York, NY 10003
May 15, 2012 7pm
From Yale Strom:
Very happy to announce that our klezmer-feminist-historical-magic realism audio drama, "The Witches of Lublin", has been nominated for three Audie Awards! Co-written by Ellen Kushner (of PRI's "Sound and Spirit"), Elizabeth Schwartz and Yale Strom, with music by Strom, "The Witches of Lublin" was directed by Sue Zizza and stars Tovah Feldshuh, plus featured actors Neil Gaiman, Simon Jones, Barbara Rosenblat, and beloved actors from the Yiddish stage like Yelena Shumlenson, Sam Guncler and Joanne Borts. The music was performed by Strom, Sprocket, Alexander Fedouriok, Peter Stan and Schwartz (and the companion CD, "The Devil's Brides" with narration by Miriam Margolyes, is released by Arc Music UK). For more info: www.TheWitchesOfLublin.com. And here's the press release from the Audies:
The Audiobook of the Year Award recognizes the audiobook that, through quality, innovation, marketing and sales, has had the most significant impact on the audio industry.
The four titles selected to compete for the 2012 Distinguished Achievement in Production Award are:
- The Mark of Zorro, by Yuri Rasovsky, narrated by Val Kilmer and a full cast (Zorro Productions, Inc., and Blackstone Audio, Inc.)
- She Walks in Beauty: A Woman’s Journey Through Poems, selected, introduced and narrated by Caroline Kennedy and a full cast (Hyperion Audio)
- The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic, by Allan Wolf, narrated by Michael Page, Phil Gigante, Christopher Lane, Laural Merlington and Angela Dawe (Candlewick on Brilliance Audio)
- The Witches of Lublin, by Ellen Kushner, Elizabeth Schwartz and Yale Strom, narrated by Tovah Feldshuh, Neil Gaiman, Simon Jones, Barbara Rosenblat, Elizabeth Boskey, Joanne Borts, Yelena Shmulenson, Joyce Feurring, Tim Jerome and a full cast (SueMedia Productions)
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.
STAGES de MUSIQUE et de CHANT– Été 2012
Musique juive d’Europe centrale
Klezmer Paris - 2012
du lundi 9 au vendredi 13 juillet
Stage destiné essentiellement aux professionnels, semi-professionnels, musiciens, et chanteurs de bon niveau, sous la direction d’artistes de renommée internationale.
More: yiddishweb.com
From host Michael Gerber:
The latest edition of my Kosher Jam show for UK Jazz Radio/Europe Jazz Radio – broadcast on 17th April and now on listen again – features a global roster of artists.
They include: French-Moroccan vocalist Laïka Fatien with her outstanding take on Stevie Wonder’s ‘Visions’; harmonica player Adam Glasser and music from his stirring South African township jazz CD; Brazilian vocalist Nicole Borger; Randy Newman performing one of his most poignant songs as re-recorded on a solo album; guitarist Steve Khan with a track from his Latin jazz album; Israeli jazz from flautist Ilan Salem and pianist Yitzhak Yedid; Yiddish world music singer-songwriter Lenka Lichtenberg; Toronto-based pianist Ron Davis with a Polish folk tune from his My Mother’s Father’s Song album inspired by his family history; and London-based band Just East, who are starring this month at the JazzAhead trade fair in Bremen, Germany.
Also featured: tenor saxophonist Ernie Watts improvising a Johnny Mandel/Dave Frishberg tune; alto saxophonist Libby Richman; vocalist Audrey Silver; tenor saxophonist Noah Preminger; bassist Josh Ginsberg; and with this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival about to get underway, a track from an 1955 album by its founder, pianist/vocalist George Wein.
There’s contemporary Jewish jazz from: clarinettist Ben Goldberg; the Masada Quintet with Joe Lovano interpreting John Zorn; The Sway Machinery; and Denmark-based saxophonist Marc Bernstein. And the late klez-jazz clarinettist Sam Musiker with joyous wedding music, from Songs For The Jewish American Jet Set CD, a compilation of artists recorded by the Tivka label between 1950-1973.
That’s 21 tracks in all, 2 hours of great music, accessible with 1 press of the button at: www.ukjazzradio.com/listenagain.htm
Long-time Bay Area music fanatic Hester Lox died this past Saturday night about the time that many of us were sitting down to the second seder. She had been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer just a few weeks earlier and had volunteered at the Bay Area’s Jewish Music Festival (as usual) the night before she was hospitalized for her illness.
I left the Bay Area over 15 years ago, but I still have vivid memories of Hester cracking jokes and making puns (often deliciously bawdy jokes and puns) as we worked putting on shows, or just enjoyed listening to music together. It was with Hester, for instance, that I first encountered one of my favorite bands at their height—Brave Old World, nor was it a surprise that she had been an old friend of the group’s bassist/tsimbl player, Stu Brotman—one of many friends that I met through her and continue to cherish knowing.
What fewer people knew was that she also regularly played accordion (at least while I knew her) with Balkan music groups. She liked klezmer, but balkan music was probably the greater passion. It was through her that my own love of Balkan music was rekindled as she dragged me off (not entirely unwillingly) to local Balkan dance nights, showed me patiently how to work out the steps dancing behind the line, and then, herself, joined in with the best and most exuberant dancers.
In her not-so-spare time, Hester consulted as a professional organizer—the person who helps create order where previously there was none. In my case, she helped me located five years of missing tax receipts, get them entered into a computer, and enabled me to move into the adult world of people who are not having the IRS threaten to garnish their paychecks for imaginary amounts owed from taxes not filed oh so many years past. It is appropriate, then, to present this YouTube video of her discussing this particular professional endeavor:
Since leaving the Bay Area I have had few opportunities to return, and far too little time to catch up with old friends when I am there. I always assumed that Hester would be there, ready for dim sum on a Sunday morning, as soon as I got the chance.
I hate getting moralistic, or using the passing of friends to score political points, but Hester died way too early. She was middle-aged, like me. She was also under-employed and had no health insurance. Our failure to ensure that all residents of this country have access to health care—including the regular check-ups that might have ensured that this was caught early when it was curable—has once again killed a friend. It is time for Americans to stop pretending that it is civilized to turn health care into a lottery, and instead to ensure that it is a right.
But, having said that, I miss Hester. There is no amelioration.To those who were fortunate enough to know her, I say, cherish the memory of her stories about her night on Alcatraz, or of Balkan camp, and of adventures, musical and/or outlandish, all. She had a very hard and abusive upbringing. But, as an adult, she lived and brought life to everything and everyone. She tried to make the world a better, even a perfect place. There are other storytellers, other volunteers, but none like her.
From Lev Liberman:
She was a sweet, generous person who, it seemed, knew everybody in the West Coast Balkan and klezmer scenes. A tireless dancer, fan, and musical insider, Hester had the gift of turning a simple gig into an event. Over the many decades of our friendship, I got to see her wild persona (that biting wit, that omni-sexy vibe) as well as her vulnerable side (her struggles with work and life, her intense loyalty to friends). I can hear her voice, her laugh. Foxy Loxy will be missed.
There will be a memorial in Berkeley on May 20. Please email me for details.
This is a wonderful new project that I've heard of via the wonderful Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett:
Please put out the word! Help us document on film the creation of this extraordinary wooden synagogue's exquisite painted ceiling and timber-framed roof. More about how you can help: www.kickstarter.com/projects/15287081/filming-the-replication-of-a-17th-century-wooden-s
Last Sunday night I was one of the judges at the Boston Jewish Music Festival's "Klezmer Idol" (more about which, anon). So much fun was had, that Fred Ledley, of Shpilkes Klezmer, is interest in helping to organizae a similar contest at the Worcester, MA JCC:
We are working with the Worcester JCC to organize a “Battle of the Klezmer Bands” at the Worcester JCC around Chanukah 2012—date to be announced. This will be similar to last [Sunday] night's Klemer Idol at Ryles (which was awesome).
We are looking for amateur bands that would like to participate in an afternoon or evening event.
This will be a high energy, friendly “competition,” where everyone wins by being part of an evening of great music with a wonderful audience and the camaraderie of other Klezmorim.
Would it be possible to post or send a call-out to bands that might be interested. I know the local bands, but there must also be bands in central/west MA and surrounding areas.
Fred Ledley
Shpilkes Klezmer Band
E-mail Shpilkes
Have you ever wanted to sing your little one to sleep with a sweet Yiddish lullaby?
Join Lorin Sklamberg, vocalist of the Grammy Award-winning band the Klezmatics for a 4-week exploration into the world of Yiddish children's songs—songs of the cradle and home life, kheyder and nature.
Lullabies and Legacy with Lorin Sklamberg
Presented by The Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring
Tuesdays, February 7th - 28th from 12:00-1:30pm
Become a part of the tradition of passing this legacy on to your children, grandchildren, even your friends' children. Teachers, babysitters, friends - and lovers of Yiddish song are welcome, too.
For reservations call: 212-889-6800 x234 or email Workmen's Circle
www.circle.org/comeintothecircle.html
From the Jewish-Music mailing list, Ates Temeltas writes (about a very exciting project from Aron Saltiel):
This video includes parts of a performance by Ensemble Saltiel¹s Sephardic Wedding Songs project.
More information about the project
To which Howard Eisenberger adds:
Bonjour a tous,
The 52 minute Paris concert of June 2011 can be found here. There is a download link for the audio.
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