New Jewish Music Label

Talk about E-c-l-e-c-t-i-c.....The Jewish Music Group is a Record Label and Music Distributor specializing in Jewish Music and Entertainment with everything from Connie Francis (remember her?) to Meshugga Beach Party (you know, that obvious blend of American instrumental surf guitar and Jewish music) on their front page this month. (Yes Virginleke, there is the possibility to blend anything with Jewish music!)

The label is owned and run by industry veterans Richard Foos (formerly Rhino, currently Shout Factory Entertainment) and David McLees (formerly Rhino Entertainment and Warner Music Group). JMG is distributed in the U.S. by RED Distribution exclusively in the the non-Judaica market. Label President, David McLees explains, "We want our releases to cover a wide spectrum of music, the Jewish retail world, as well as cross over into the broadest possible market including traditional, specialty and mainstream." Tel: 818-508-2500. Web: www.jewishmusicgroup.com. (Klezmatics, Debbie Friedman, and more).

Female songwriters needed

A Chasidic female recording artist, Chana Fellig, is putting together a CD compilation of Jewish female songwriters. She's interested in hearing from women and girls who write original songs or "who has dreamed of being a singer, who writes songs, plays an instrument, composes melodies etc. The songs can be a collaboration of a few talents." If you are interested in submitting a song to her, please email her directly at chanale@hotmail.com

Shpatzirin

Shpatzirin is a new organization in NYC devoted to new Jewish music. It's created a series of events raising awareness of Jewish culture and the avante garde. Thursday, June 10th @ 7:00PM - "Hip-Hip Machers" Roosevelt Park-Hester St. between Chrystie St. & Forsyth St. - B/D to Grand; or 6 to Canal; or J/Z to Bowery Performances by Akil Dasan and Vanessa Hidary, followed by a screening of Joey Garfield's "Breath Control: A History of the Human Beatbox" VERY IMPORTANT: check the website for last minute site changes! www.shpatzirin.com
Matisyahu: Thurs, June 17th @ Southpaw
125 5th Avenue, Park Slope Brooklyn, 18+, 8PM doors
Matisyahu brings it back to Brooklyn Thurs, June 17th with Dub is a Weapon. Tickets on sale now - www.ticketweb.com; $10 advance, $12 day of show. www.spsounds.com
June 23: Matisyahu @ Lizard Lounge in Boston 1667 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA HOLD THE DATE: MORE INFO COMING SOON Shpatzirin is committed to presenting a range of perspectives on the Jewish experience, does not take an ironic position on Jewish culture, and is interested in complicating - rather than simplifying - the ways in which Jewish culture is understood.

GIGZ

Linda Yelnick runs an agency that books Jewish musicians and comedians. It's called GIGZ and operates from 520 South El Camino Real, Suite 320, San Mateo CA 94402. She is open to representing more artists. For more information.... Phone/Fax 650 692.1763 leahhaifa@usa.net http://gigz.yelnickusa.com Phone/Fax 650-692-1763 Email: leahhaifa@usa.net Website: http://gigz.yelnickusa.com Linda Yelnick is an agent for Jewish performers in the worlds of music and comedy. Her agency is GIGZ, based in California, which represents about eighteen performing artists in the United States, the UK and Israel. Linda was the only person to submit Proposals to the National Academy of Performing Arts and Sciences (NARAS) to establish a Jewish music category for its Grammy Awards. She currently sits on the Board of Governors of the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy. Before finding her "spark," Linda had been in Jewish education for almost 20 years as both teacher and administrator. Linda knows how important it is to bring "gigz" to communities everywhere, those with both large and small Jewish populations.