KFAR Jewish Arts Center celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and Jewish efforts to realize his dream of equal rights for all with a special concert by THE AFRO-SEMITIC EXPERIENCE. Jewish bassist David Chevan and African-American pianist Warren Byrd lead an all-star jazz ensemble that uncovers the shared experiences of the Jewish and African American communities with soaring arrangements of traditional Jewish and Black Spiritual songs. Their collaboration has produced 4 recordings, including “Avadim Hayinu/Once We Were Slaves,” “Let Us Break Bread Together” and a self-titled debut. These melodies and improvisations by world class African American and Jewish jazz musicians have a big band sound, a big statement and build big bridges between communities.The Afro-Semitic Experience is dedicated to preserving, promoting and expanding the rich cultural and musical heritage of the Jewish and African diaspora. The band understands and presents interpretations of music from traditions as diverse and rich as Gospel, Klezmer, Nigunnim, Spirituals, and Swing. They are as comfortable playing a freylakh as they are funk, and can swing a blues tune right after a bulgar.
Chicago’s Jewish and African-American communities first found common ground on Maxwell Street, a west side Jewish immigrant ghetto that became a mecca for some of the world’s most beloved blues artists in their formative years. The NAACP was founded and led in Chicago by prominent Jewish activists, and during the civil rights era, Chicago Rabbis and their congregants often accompanied Rev. King on his famous marches. The first act of Chicago’s Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (cosponsoring the concert) was to loan a staff member that campaign, work that 40 years later continues in the struggle for affordable housing.
The Afro-Semitic Experience mirrors these partnerships in their stunning jazz arrangements whose results are equally moving for their collaboration on the spiritual, social and musical planes.
But most importantly, they truly swing.
Click on the link below for schedule and ticket information:
Posted: 12/31/2003
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