CD "TWO FAITHS, ONE VOICE"

An Innovative CD, "TWO FAITHS, ONE VOICE," blending Sephardic and Eastern European folk traditions is being released in May. There will also be a March concert in Vilnius, Lithuania which will mark a world premiere.

Sefarad Records, a contemporary musical enterprise that produces recordings and concerts of ethnic folk music spanning many centuries and cultures, is releasing "Two Faiths, One Voice," an acoustic album that uncovers surprising synergies between Christian and Jewish musical traditions. Featuring singer and folklorist Maria Krupoves and the singer and virtuoso guitarist Gerard Edery, "Two Faiths, One Voice" world premieres in Eastern Europe (at the Bernardine Church in Vilnius, the site of many ecumenical concerts, on March 24) prior to its U.S. premiere and CD release which take place in New York at Drom, 85 Avenue A, on Tuesday May 27 at 8pm.

Tracing the nomadic wanderings of Sephardic music over the centuries -- from Medieval Spain to modern Eastern Europe -- "Two Faiths, One Voice" reveals multiple, deep-rooted parallels between Eastern-European (Jewish and Christian) and Middle-Eastern (Jewish and Arabic) musical faiths.

The product of a two-and-a-half-year collaboration between Edery, based in New York and the founder of Sefarad Records, and Krupoves, a specialist in Central and Eastern European folksongs, "Two Faiths, One Voice" is notable for its curatorial insight as well as its musical virtuosity. Edery, a master player in multiple languages and styles (he sings in fifteen languages and speaks four fluently), is renowned for assembling world music instrumentalists, dancers and folklorists in unique and highly acclaimed cross-cultural concerts and recordings. Krupoves, who is a professor at the Vilnius Yiddish Institute at Vilnius University in Lithuania, sings in twelve languages and dialects, and is fluent in seven. A woman of Christian heritage, she is a specialist of a wide array of Jewish music, singing in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, and even Karaim (an off-shoot of Judaism from 8th century Babylon). She is credited with preserving important portions of Jewish folk tradition, particularly songs from isolated, so-called stateless Jewish communities.

Edery and Krupoves have performed in concert together in over a dozen major European and American cities. "Our upcoming 'Two Faiths, One Voice' concerts come at a particularly meaningful time," says Edery. "Incidents of anti-Semitism are a constant problem in the former Soviet Union. At the same time efforts to promote understanding through the arts are also gaining strength. We are deeply honored to premiere this concert in Vilnius, once a leading center of Jewish culture."

Interpreting songs in Ladino, Hebrew, Yiddish, Turkish, Galician-Portuguese, Tartar and Gypsy (among others), Krupoves and Edery revel in the shared stories, lyrics and melodies of people separated for centuries by ethnic and religious hatreds. "There are connections between the cultures and overlap, which prove the fluidity of oral and musical traditions," Edery observes. "Our art reminds us that the boundaries that often separate us can be easily and magically bridged." For more information visit www.sefaradrecords.com

Seventh Night of Pesakh at DROM

Thursday, April 24 - Passover at DROM, 7:30PM Metropolitan Klezmer Seventh Night of Pesakh show! The annual Passover tradition continues at a new club: Metropolitan Klezmer debuts at the East Village's swank Drom Pesakh guest artists:Shoko Nagai on accordion & piano, plus vocalists Judith Berkson and, fresh from New York City Opera as stand-in lead soprano in Mark Morris' King Arthur, Melissa Fogarty. Details below or see... http://dromnyc.com/home/index.php?option=com_gigcal&task=details&gigcal_gigs_id=128&Itemid=37

Thursday 4/24, 7:30PM
DROM World Music Club & Restaurant
85 Avenue A (btw E. 5th & 6th St's), NYC
Tickets: $12 + club food or drink minimum
info: 212-777-1157
http://dromnyc.com

Formed in 1994, the adventuresome neo-traditional octet Metropolitan Klezmer plays rollicking dances and ethereal trance tunes, plus exuberant Yiddish swing, klezmer cumbia, soundtrack tango, and genre-defying originals. With an astounding horn section, lithesome accordion, stirring acoustic strings, dynamic syncopating drums, mystical ney flutes, and gorgeous multi-lingual vocals, the bandmates bring experience in styles from Balkan, bebop, and funk to reggae, classical and zydeco.

Their fourth album, "Traveling Show," is a live concert album on Best of 2007 lists from coast to coast, with more review praise from All About Jazz and the UK's fROOTS (Folk Roots Magazine). Repertoire inspiration comes from sources as diverse as archival 78's, Soviet newsreels, family home audio, and well-tuned imaginations.

Metropolitan Klezmer:
Ismail Butera (accordion - April 9th Eldridge Street show)
Pam Fleming (trumpet/flugelhorn)
Michael Hess (violin/ney flutes)
Dave Hofstra (upright bass/tuba)
Debra Kreisberg (clarinet/alto sax)
Reut Regev (trombone)
Eve Sicular (drums/leader)...
& special guests:
Shoko Nagai (accordion/piano - April 24th Drom show),
Michael Farkas (vocals - April 9th Eldridge Street show),
Judith Berkson & Melissa Fogarty (vocals - April 24th Drom show)

http://metropolitanklezmer.com
http://myspace.com/metroklez

websites, guest artists:
Michael Farkas - vocals, April 9/Eldridge Street
http://thewiyos.com
http://myspace.com/thewiyos
Shoko Nagai - accordion/piano, April 24/Drom
http://myspace.com/shokonagai
Judith Berkson - vocals, April 24/Drom
http://judithberkson.com
myspace.com/judithberkson
Melissa Fogarty - vocals, April 24/Drom
http://melissafogarty.com

Go Van Gogh

A klezmer group with a website and mp3s. Mixes Klezmer with Hawaiian, Gypsy, Western Swing, Jazzy Ethiopian, Surfing Ska and more. http://www.govangogh.net/

60 at 60

60 locations are participating in special celebrations for Israel's 60th anniversary. Most of the concerts are in May, and some in June. For full details, see the website. There's a lot of great activity and big celebrations throughout the country. If you haven't seen some of these top performers, this may be your chance. There are performers appealing to different generations, so the whole family can enjoy the music and celebrate Israel's founding 60 years ago.

http://www.60at60.org/

60th Anniversary of Israel in New York at Radio City

The official observation of the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel's 60th Anniversary in New York will take place at 8PM on Wednesday May 7th with a major musical gala at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The event will feature Reggae superstar Matisyahu, Paul Shaffer of the David Letterman Show, composer/performer and MacArthur Genius award winner John Zorn and top Israeli music artists Idan Raichel, Rami Kleinstein, David Broza and Habanot Nechama, with additional performers to be announced.

The historic cultural gathering will be the largest such celebration of its kind, and is supported by over 100 Jewish organizations including the UJA Federation of New York, Consulate General of Israel, Jewish Community Relations Council, Dor Chadash and other key groups representing a majority of the organized American Jewish community. The evening will begin with a brief memorial program with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Israeli Ambassadors Dan Gillerman and Asaf Sharif and other dignitaries.

General admission tickets are $36, $60, $120 and $180. VIP tickets are $360 for center orchestra or $1000 for front orchestra seats with program listing. VIP tickets include a private pre-concert dinner reception with the artists and post-concert party at Tavern on the Green. All net proceeds of the event will benefit three leading Israeli organizations helping children in need Ahava orphanage in the North, Gvanim in Sderot, and Beit Issie Shapiro in the center of Israel.

For tickets: http://www.60at60.org ; info@60at60.org or call 212-608-0555.

Klezmer workshop and concert in Leeds

Sunday April 27, 2008
Workshop 10am-1pm
Performance 3:00pm

Klezmer music and Yiddish dance workshop, led by Ilana Cravitz and Guy Schalom, with members of FDT Klezmorim and guests
10:00am Workshop for all and introduction to the afternoon’s concert performance

Participants and observers will learn about the historical background and cultural context of this Jewish music and the associated dances. They will then have the opportunity to gain hands-on (or feet-on!) experience, choosing either to study the music (style, ornamentation, accompaniment) in more depth, or to learn some of the dances with experienced dance leader and drummer Guy Schalom, with live music from members of the band. No previous knowledge of klezmer music or dance required. Instrumentalists should be grade 4 equivalent or above.

3:00pm Afternoon Concert: FDT Klezmorim - Bessarabia – London – Philadelphia: Klezmer from Old World to New, and back again

A journey beyond the borders of time and space with a programme of old and new ‘traditional’ Jewish music crossing the boundaries between Orient and Occident. Featuring Ilana Cravitz (fiddle), Susi Evans (clarinet), John Bone (accordion), Matt Bacon (bazouki/guitar), Guy Schalom (drums), Paul Tkachenko (bass).

Tickets: £12 adult (£8 concessions); £3 students and young people.
Information and booking form:
http://www.ilanacravitz.com/calendar.html

Music as a Bridge to Oneness

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 3pm
Seeds of Compassion Presents
MUSIC AS A BRIDGE TO ONENESS
A Talk and Demonstration by Yuval Ron

How music connects us to the divine to Oneness and to the spiritual and mystical side of life. A discussion of ways to teach unity and tolerance using music as a platform for meeting your opponent, your neighbor and the other. With live demonstration on the Oud.

Location: Center House Stage, Seattle Center,
305 Harrison Street,
Seattle, WA 98109
Admission: FREE and open to the public
For More Information: http://seedsofcompassion.net/event/concert/concert2.asp

Gala Concert kicked off NY's Celebration of Israel at 60

"On March 30th, the Zamir Choral kicked off New York City's celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the founding of Israel to a sold-out Carnegie Hall. The star-studded concert featured the Zamir Chorale and Friends, including the legendary Theodore Bikel, Debbie Friedman, Cantors Alberto Mizrahi, Jack Mendelson and Lorna Wallach, and a special guest appearance by HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Choir, all under the direction of Matthew Lazar, Founder and Director of the Zamir Choral Foundation.

The concert traced the history of Israel through music, with musical selections that ranged from Hebrew chant through favorites from the beginnings of the state to contemporary peieces, including the world premiere of Israeli composer Yehezkel Braun's Bayom HaHu, specially commissioned for this concert.

KLEZMER PARIS -- 2008

KLEZMER PARIS - 2008
Musique juive d'Europe centrale / Jewish music from Central Europe

Stage de musique instrumentale / Music workshop
Stage de chant yiddish et de danse / Yiddish song and dance workshop
Stage pour enfants et juniors / Kids and juniors classes

Du 7 au 11 juillet 2008 - July 7th - 11th, 2008

Simultanés et avec de nombreuses passerelles, ces trois stages de musique juive d'Europe de l'Est seront animés par des artistes de renommée internationale :
The three parallel courses (with common activities) - klezmer music, Yiddish songs and nigunim, and Jewish dances of Eastern Europe - are all led by internationally known musicians :

Marthe DESROSIERES (France - France) - coordination musicale, flûte, activités pour enfants / musical coordination, flute / juniors activities
Shura LIPOVSKY (Pays-Bas / Netherlands) - direction du stage de chant, chant, danse / director of the song workshop, vocals - dance
Lauren BRODY (Etats-Unis / United States) - accordéon, chant / accordion, vocals
Arkady GENDLER (Ukraine - Ukraina) - chant / vocals
Henri GRUVMAN (France - France) - théâtre, cinéma / theater, cinema
Merlin SHEPHERD (Grande Bretagne - Great Britain) - clarinettes / clarinets
Polina SHEPHERD (Grande Bretagne - Great Britain) - chant choral, piano / vocals, piano
Jake SHULMAN-MENT (Etats-Unis / United States) - violon / violin
Michal SVIRONI (France - France) - théâtre, marionnettes / theater, pupets

Et leurs assistants / and their assistants

Au programme : ateliers, conférences, master classes, jams, spectacles ... certaines animations seront ouvertes au grand public.
Program : daily workshop in singing, dancing and instrumental music, master classes, talks and lectures, jam sessions and performances. Les cours sont donnés en français et anglais / classes are given in both French and English.

INSCRIVEZ-VOUS VITE ! REGISTER NOW !

Informations détaillées et bulletin d'inscription / more information and application form:
http://www.yiddishweb.com
Tél : + 33 (0)1 47 00 14 00 - Fax : + 33 (0)1 47 00 14 47

Yavneh Ensemble Concert 'America, Amerike'

America, Amerike: Jewish Music throughout America's History

Monday, May 12, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Tiferet Bet Israel
1920 Skippack Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422

Monday, May 19, 2008
7:30 p.m.
The Ethical Society Building
19 South Rittenhouse Square
Philadelphia, PA

The Yavneh Ensemble , conducted by Robert A.M. Ross, and with a special guest appearance by Hazzan Howard K. Glantz, will present music of the Jewish experience in America, including:
• Sephardic chants from colonial synagogues
• The 1897 Union Hymnal and its role in the formation of Jewish Americans
• The great wave of Eastern European immigration in its varied musical manifestations: Yiddish theater, Yiddish radio and the clash of the old country with the new in a special choral presentation of Sholom Secunda's Chazonim Oyf Probe.
• The American synagogue finds its distinctive voice in the 20th century and beyond.

Tickets are $36, 18, and $9 for students, and may be ordered online at http://www.yavnehensemble.org, or reserved at 215-849-4129.