kfarcenter.com Blog

Archive for March, 2006

March 30, 2006: 7:00 pm: AdministratorRock

Lo Irah

Blue Fringe is composed of four Yeshiva University graduates. The band has created a new twist on Jewish music and become a sensation around the world. With influences ranging from Diaspora Yeshiva Band to John Mayer, to Victor Wooten, the band has developed a modern rock/pop sound of its own that has fueled world tours to Australia, England, Israel and across North America. With two albums, hundreds of performances under their belts and legions of fans, their original Jewish songs, both in English and Hebrew, weave Jewish themes into popular music unlike anything else.

Lo Irah
Kacha lo
Vayivarech
Shidduch Song

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: 6:53 pm: AdministratorCross Cultural, Jazz, Klezmer, Services

Afro-Semitic Experience

Eliyahu

The Afro-Semitic Experience uncovers the shared experiences of two communities through jazz arrangements of traditional Jewish and Black Spiritual songs. It is a sad commentary that during the past twenty years relations between African-Americans and Jewish-Americans have–in the wake of the dismantling of the Civil Rights movement –disintegrated. In response, these two Connecticut jazz artists, Warren Byrd and David Chevan, have created a unique musical program that merges their distinct cultures and heritages. In this musical offering, African-American jazz pianist Warren Byrd, and Jewish-American jazz bassist David Chevan combine their talents to fuse two centuries-old traditions that have served as time honored sources of comfort and strength. David and Warren have selected pieces from their traditions that speak to the soul and that emphasize and reveal the strong similarities that are at the heart of the passions, suffering and joys of these two worlds.

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: 6:50 pm: AdministratorReggae, Rock

Ari Ben Moses band

Tree of Life

Ari Ben Moses band Reggae and Latin music influences heavily the Ari Ben Moses in sound and spirit. Their music underscores the humanity in us all and includes direct references to Jewish themes of peace and Torah. Ari Ben Moses has performed at the London Limmud, straddling the lines that divide us with stellar music. Fans of one-drop, rock-steady, socca, Bob Marley and Santana should prepare in advance for this very special treat.

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: 6:40 pm: AdministratorWords/Stage

Kevin Coval

KEVIN COVAL is a poet and performance artist whose work looks critically at current cultural and political events via the lens of his Jewish identity. He uses hip-hop to wrestle, expose, and explore the impact of whiteness on himself and people of color. He has been featured in three seasons of the HBO Def Poetry Jam.

A Chicago Hip-Hop poet, Coval has performed on four continents in seven countries at universities, high schools, and conferences, including; The Parliament of the World’s Religions in Capetown, South Africa, African Hip-Hop Festival: Battle Cry, Poetry Society of London, Yale, Stanford and St. Xavier in Bombay, India. A member of the 2002 and 2003 National Poetry Slam Team-Chicago, His writing has appeared in The Spoken Word Revolution (Source Books), Awakening The Spirit (Skylight Paths), XCP: Cross-Cultural Poetics, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reporter, Fly Paper and can be heard regularly on the WBEZ-FM program 848 on Chicago Public Radio.

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: 6:39 pm: AdministratorCarlebach, Israel Related, Rock, Singer/Songwriter

Oneg Shemesh

Ani Maamim

Oneg Shemesh grew up in Israel on Moshav Mevo Modiim founded by the late Rebbe Shlomo Carlebach, Z”L. He had the great privilege of spending much time with the Rebbe, accompanying him on guitar and drawing from his wealth of knowledge. After finishing his army career, Oneg joined The Moshav Band and toured with them throughout Israel, the United States and Canada. He presently lives in New York and has been performing concerts wherever Jews are found, bringing joy and happiness to communities around the world while trying to live up to his name ONEG which means utmost joy.

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: 6:37 pm: AdministratorIsrael Related, Sephardic, Women's voices

Shakshuka

Ko Amar

Shakshuka is an ensemble raised on folk, pop and jazz music with a deep love for Jewish music. They perform Israeli and Sephardic selections in Hebrew, Ladino and Yiddish. With two guitars, percussion and voice, their arrangements add creative elements to traditional melodies with a refreshing sound. Shaksuka’s music includes songs of the early Israeli pioneers, camp favorites, modern Israeli composers, dance songs, Yiddish and Sephardic music.

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: 6:36 pm: AdministratorJazz, Klezmer, Women's voices

Modern Klezmer Quartet

Modern Klezmer Quartet The rhythm section enters with four bars of 5/8, then switches to 8/8. Is this a Dave Brubeck tune? Maybe Coltrane? Its the Modern Klezmer Quartet, playing aural tricks on your brain with their slick and spare jazz arrangements of Jewish melodies, new and old. With arrangements by Bob Appelbaum and the addition of the stunning Yiddish vocals of 20-something Lisa Fishman, the MKQ have a great sound that would delight any Jazz club crowd.

Yesh
Cherokezatzle
Fun Tashlich
A Little Mazel
Sheyn vi Di Levone

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: 6:35 pm: AdministratorJazz, Klezmer

Chassidic Jazz Project

The Chassidic Jazz Project combines traditional Chassidic melodies with contemporary jazz arrangements. The Chassidic Jazz Project’s unusual instrumentation viola, cello, saxophone, guitar, bass, drums and percussion creates a gorgeous chamber music effect that blends elements of jazz, fusion and new world, to create a multi-cultural sound that can be described as liturgical music at its best.

For drummer Reuben Hoch, it is the realization of a dream that began with a celebration of Israel’s 50th anniversary at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, Florida in 1998. Reuben was urged in years prior by Dizzy Gillespie’s manager, Charles Fishman, and bassist Jeff Andrews to unfold his heritage by applying his jazz abilities to his religious background. Reuben did so, using Chassidic melodies he learned growing up (different from klezmer). Together with Bassist Ed Schuller and guitarist Tom Lippincott, the project draws on the influence of musicians that include Charles Mingus, Joe Zawinul and Charlie Haden.

Born in Brooklyn in 1959, Hoch was raised as an Orthodox Jew, attended Yeshiva, and prayed in Munkatcher and Satmar Chassidic synagogues. He began playing the drums at the age of 12 and by his senior year in high school, Reuben was active profesionally on the New York jazz scene and recorded with his first group, Repercussions. Heavily influenced by Art Blakey, Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette and Elvin Jones, Reuben began playing with Blakey sidemen Valery Ponomaerov, David Schnitter and Lonnie Plaxico.

He remained musically active throughout college and while attending medical school in Tel Aviv from 1984 to 1988, became a member of the Israeli jazz quartet Zaviot. Zaviot toured extensively throughout Europe performing in major festivals, winning an award for most originality in the Red Sea Jazz Festival in 1986.

Since then Reuben appeared on many albums, including two as a leader of his own group, The RH Factor, which features Miles Davis alumnus Dave Liebman and a live CD at New York’s Knitting Factory. He was co-leader of the group West End Avenue, which featured the great Native American Saxophonist, Jim Pepper. West End Avenue released four CD’s.

They have performed for over 10,000 people throughout South Florida at venues including The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, The Hollywood Jazz Festival and Sunfest The Chassidic Jazz Project released a live recording of a January 2001 performance featuring guest pianist Don Friedman and Bobby Thomas Jr. Their multi-cultural sound has attracted fans of all types of music and all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Adon Olam Medley
Bilavi

: 6:34 pm: AdministratorJazz, Klezmer, World Fusion

Rabbinical School Dropouts

The Rabbinical School Dropouts are Sun Ra, the Hampton Grease Band, Frank Zappa and the Klezmatics all rolled into one. The music of the Friedmann brothers is fresh, imaginative and the future of Klezmer music. Their big band (featuring oboe, mandolin, bassoon, theremin, toy piano, tablas, etc.) storms through a dozen creative originals touching upon klezmer, jazz, funk, Latin, rock, and varied mishegoss along the way. Jewish garage jazz with a sick sense of humor from Long Beach, California. It’s been called Esoteric Space Klezmer, but mostly its just wild musical fun.

Mesquitto from Meggido
Counterfeit Gelt
Dung Gate
Solarium Khosdil
Pillow Rock
Yanatan HaKatan II

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: 6:29 pm: AdministratorIsrael Related, Rock, Singer/Songwriter

Avraham Rosenblum & Diaspora

Avraham Rosenblum moved to Jerusalem in the early ‘70’s, found his Jewish roots and started a band that changed the course of modern Jewish music. The Diaspora Yeshiva Band performed for crowds from all over the world at their Saturday night “Melave Malka” concerts at King David’s Tomb on Mt. Zion. Their blend of folk rock and ancient Hebrew lyrics made them a premier act on the international circuit for decades. Today, Avraham Rosenblum continues the tradition with music that speaks to Jews of all stripes.

Kedem
David the King
The Flood
Nachamu Ami

: 6:27 pm: AdministratorReggae

Mussareggae

Kayama – Mussareggae

A great new Jewish Reggae artist, Rabbi Mikael Zerbib, born in Bordeaux, France, recently brought out his first solo CD, with all hebrew reggae songs, incl great original fresh versions of Dayenu, Lekha Dodi, and new compositions. The title “Mussareggae” means Reggae with Ethics, songs advocating integrity in relationships with others, and above all, acknowledgment of the Creator.

Performance and booking inquiries: info@j-arts.org

: 3:32 pm: AdministratorCross Cultural, Hip Hop

Hip Hop Hoodios

Havana Nagila

Hip Hop Hoodios The band’s name is a play on hood and Judios, the Spanish word for Jew, and that is as good an explanation of where their backgrounds and of their Latin-Jewish sounds as there is. Drawing on their dual Latino-Jewish heritage, Hip Hop Hoodios combine the vitality of Latin alternative music with American-Jewish culture for fun-filled, trilingual mayhem. Led by Josue Noriega, the four band members have roots in Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Mexico as well as Jewish culture. Using a mix of live instrumentation and samples, they meld Hebrew with merengue and layer Jewish-themed rhymes atop salsa rhythms to create tracks like Havana Nagila off their CD’s, Raza Hoodia and Agua pa la Gente.

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: 3:04 pm: AdministratorRock, Singer/Songwriter

Seth Nadel Band

Seth Nadel is a singer/songwriter, performer, and teacher. His unique blend of “Jewish folk rock” is both spiritual and passionate. His high-energy hybrid of rock, pop, folk, and blues has been called, “Dylan, Springsteen, and the Counting Crows meet Carlebach and Diaspora,” and “a fun rockin’ Jewish good time.” Reb Seth has traveled North America playing Jewish music at Shabbatonim, cafes, high schools, universities, summer camps and synagogues for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. On stage, he weaves words of Torah and Chassidic tales in between his songs. Like the Chassidic masters, he believes music is a vehicle to bring one closer to G-d. Whether performing solo or along with his band, his performances are energetic and uplifting.

Ki Haym Chayenu
Tzadik Katamar Yifrach
Veerastich Li

: 3:03 pm: AdministratorCarlebach, Israel Related, Rock, World Fusion

Reva L’Sheva

Hailing from Israel, Reva L’Sheva (Quarter to Seven) combines a world-beat style with melodies and traditional Hebrew texts used by the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Like many of his generation, found Yehuda Katz followed The Grateful Dead, an influence still obvious in his music. The band’s universal and jamming approach has seen them perform with Arab bands, at a memorial for Yitzhak Rabin and even in Hebron. An Isreali favorite for over ten years!

Shalom v’Reut
Am Yisreal Chai

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: 3:02 pm: AdministratorRock

Moshe Skier Band

Shma Yisroel

The Moshe Skier Band is a Jewish power pop act performing original and traditional Jewish Music in a Classic Rock and Blues style. The band plays original songs by its leader, Moshe Skier, who has also performed with the bands Kabbalah and Shlock Rock, as well as covers of songs by other Jewish artists. Their Music sounds like secular Rock, and flawlessly mimics classic rock hits, transforming them lyrically or melodically into Jewish material. If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, Skier and company compliment to everyone from Jeff Beck to Cream to Brian Setzer with tight, bluesy arrangements.

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: 3:01 pm: AdministratorIsrael Related, Rock

Heedoosh

Embracing styles from hard rock grunge to sensually melodic ballads, Heedoosh is a trailblazing fusion of a brooding, mysterious sound with lyrics that convey both the longing for, and imminence of, redemption. As its name implies, the music of this new band is something of a revelation. The brainchild of two Israeli Yemenite brothers, Yahav and Yaniv Tsaidi, Heedoosh performs deeply personal, spiritual Jewish rock music that pulls no punches.

The songs are of breathtaking beauty and complexity, rooted in sacred text and combined with contemporary verses gilded with a true rock edge influenced by Stone Temple Pilots, Radiohead, Coldplay and Oasis- a mix of hard rock and brit-pop with Hebrew lyrics and Jewish themes. The songs hold fast to their rock roots and their Jewish sources without compromising any integrity on either front.

The soul-searching themes of thier poignant songs are not afraid to address the foundations of faith nor express their longing for redemption. In a swirling vortex of a world filled with confusion, Heedoosh is a musical vidui, a lyrical confession that reaches out to the unknown for answers with a completely unique style and a new discovery on an ancient text: a Heedoosh.

Upon the release of their debut, M’Umkah Delibah, the band fast became one of New York’s most sought after Jewish acts, performing at clubs throughout the city and bringing their legion of fans everywhere they go.

Lecha Dodi
Lev Tahor
Lishuatecha
Etz Chaim Hi

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: 2:59 pm: AdministratorRock

Beyond Eden

3 Steps Back

Beyond EDEN plays an infectious unique fusion of musical styles, incorporating rock, reggae, hip-hop, and disco with traditional Jewish content. Songs are both in Hebrew and English. The band’s live shows are high-energy and intense, with a pulsating groove, designed to keep audiences on their feet and dancing. Beyond EDEN cites its influences as Shlomo Carlebach, Dave Matthews Band and Stevie Wonder.

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: 2:58 pm: AdministratorCarlebach, Israel Related

Chaim David

Old City Jewish Quarter resident Chaim Dovid Sarachik has been touching the souls of the Jewish world with his music for over 20 years. Originally from South Africa, Chaim Dovid came to Israel at the behest of his rebbe, Rav Shlomo Carlebach z”l and has been continuing Rav Shlomo’s legacy of combining music and neshama ever since. His small stature, quiet demeanor and gentle, almost fragile voice mask a spirit and fervor that surprises most who see him, but it is his folksy, moving and earnest performances that have made him a star in his own right. While his connection to his Rebbe is immutable, Chaim David has penned numerous songs of his own, simple in melody and nuanced in lyric, that are easily learned, joyously sung by thousands and an uplifting experience whenever they are heard.

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: 2:57 pm: AdministratorCarlebach, Jazz, Singer/Songwriter

Shemesh v’Kochavim

Medley

Shemesh V’Kochavim (Sun and Stars) is a groove-oriented rock band from Israel whose music spreads a message of love and hope from their native land. Lead singer and composer Eliyon Shemesh was raised on Moshav Meor Modi’in, the home of legendary musical Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach z’l, and hails from a musical family.

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: 2:55 pm: AdministratorJazz, Klezmer

Jews Brothers Band

New Zealand, being small and isolated from the rest of the world, is a place where people have always had to work with what they got – so the odd-for-klezmer instrumental lineup of the JBB is somewhat of a New Zealand phenomenon. There are cultural influences ranging from Celtic, Fresian, jazz, blues, rock and so on but this melding of other musical streams is nothing new for Klezmer.With a rare combination of virtuoso musicianship and wicked self parody, this eclectic, eccentric, energetic band from New Zealand radiates musical mischief and mayhem wherever it goes. Its exhilarating foot-stomping hand-clapping repertoire, both original and traditional features wild Eastern-European dance medleys, neo-40s’ New York swing, gypsy “hot club”, schmaltzy waltzes and funky dance grooves. If you can’t dance to this band you gotta problem!

My Yiddish Swing
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: 2:54 pm: AdministratorHip Hop, Services

OJGs/Hip Hop Shabbat

Bim Bomb

This Bay area group performs hip-hop adaptations of traditional Jewish songs such as Bim Bam, Lecha Dodi, and Shalom Aleichem, infusing well known melodies with original raps that expand their themes and bring them up to date for the hip hop generation.

The Original Jewish Gangstas make beats, rhymes, and record new lyrics, using Pro-Tools, condensor mics, pre-amplifiers, and their own lyrical creativity to combine the wisdom of Judaism with the bump of hip-hop. If you are interested in making hip-hop history, then come flow with the OJG, as they reproduce traditional Jewish melodies live, either as part of an interactive service, concert performance or youth workshop.

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: 2:50 pm: AdministratorHasidic, Israel Related, Singer/Songwriter

Simply Tsfat

Shabbos

Simply Tsfat are three Breslov Chassidim, 2 Americans and one Israeli, 2 guitars and one violin whose aim is to spread the joy and inspiration of Breslov Chassidim. They bring a breath of fresh air from their home, the mystical city of Tsfat, where Kabbalah was born, and tales of Joy and of their famous Rebbe. The trio’s fresh approach to Chassidic folk music applies violin virtuosity and a dash of flamenco guitar to melodies from the Breslover and other Chassidic tradition with a healthy dose of Chassidic storytelling. And in the tradition of their Rebbe, these holy brothers bring a sense of Simcha, joy, to every performance.

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: 2:46 pm: AdministratorIsrael Related, Jazz, Sephardic, Singer/Songwriter

Elie Massias Project

Elie Massias Project Singer/Songwriter, Guitarist, Elie Massias, a native of Gibraltar, has performed extensively in Europe, North America, and Israel. A classically trained guitarist, Massias’ spare, beautiful arrangements of Israeli and melodies from his Sephardic heritage are performed with a jazz flair that is a cross between David Broza and Dave Matthews unplugged, with a strong flamenco flourish and flashes of hasidic soulfulness.

Elie won top 15 of the U.S. North East at the 2006 ‘Independent Music Worldseries’ and will be featured on discmakers ‘North East Heavy Hitters” compilation CD.

John Anders of DownBeat Magazine writes “Elie’s guitar textures and effects recall stylists as diverse as Bill Frisell, John Abercrombie and Bern Nix.”

Available for solo, duet and quartet performances.

LCha Dodi
El Dia de Shabat
B’lailah (live)

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Jewish Artists Regional Touring Service

Archive for March, 2006