Archive for February, 2007

February 23, 2007: 9:40 pm: AdministratorCarlebach, Israel Related, Klezmer, World Fusion

Hey!
From the depths of the Jewish “Nigunim” melodies out of the jewish tradition of kabbalah, “A groyse Metsie” skillfuly combines touching acoustic solo pieces, breakbeat and funky grooves, trip hop ambience and rock and roll power with the soulful fire of klezmer jewish music. A Groyse Metsie brings the new into the old, a group of hyper talented-super diverse musicians who make a point of expressing a highly spiritual message in a very groovy and fun lovin way. Based in Israel, where Klezmer music is rarely appreciated, this band has turned the idea on its head, embracing a traditional form with modern, cross-cultural flourishes.

The twenty-something musicians, all accomplished on the Israeli scene through different projects, have performed with Zehava Ben, Tomer Yosef (Balkan Beat Box), Israel Dub Foundation, and many others. In a society that often wants to put the past behind it, these former Kibbutzniks, religious musicians and Music School graduates come together to play a progressive evolution of a timeless music that instantly connects with Jewish people of all ages, and everyone together to the One.

Hey!
HaShem Melech

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February 20, 2007: 11:51 pm: AdministratorCarlebach, Hasidic, Israel Related, Singer/Songwriter

Biglal Avos

Shlomo Katz was born into a family of musicians that includes his father, master musician and chazzan, Avshalom Katz. Raised in Raanana, Israel, he is a prolific composer of beautiful music, both solo and in collaboration with his brother, Eitan, Yehuda Solomon and Chaim David. The Torah and music of Reb Shlomo Carlebach zt”l has inspired and strengthened Shlomo throughout his young career. He was the lead Baal Tefilah and spiritual guide in the Carlebach Minyan of Beth Jacob of Beverly Hills. He developed an early following at Thursday night classes on Chassidut that averaged 50 students. The highlight of Shlomo’s life was when together with his father Avshalom and brother Eitan, he recorded his first CD: “Eilecha: Avshalom Katz Presents: Shlomo and Eitan” to a resounding success. Since the release of the CD, Shlomo has conducted numerous concert tours including Argentina, Costa Rica, Australia and Belguim. His second CD, entitled “BIGLAL AVOS” sold out its first three pressings. Shlomo has just released his third album, “Vehakohanim” and recently earned smicha from Yeshivat HaMivtar in Efrat under Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Chaim Brovender. He continues to tour and perform throughout Israel, Europe, Australia and United States. His performances lift the crowd to heights, leaving one moved, inspired, transformed and hungry for more.


Asher Bara
Biglal Avos
Chemdas
Ka Ribon

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: 11:24 pm: AdministratorHasidic, Rock, World Fusion


Rising on the jam band scene is Merkavah (a mystical kabbalistic chariot), a project  lending of grooves, improvisation and melodies from the Lubavitch Chabad movement.

A nature loving phish fan, guitarist Yerechmiel Altizio’s musical and spiritual journey got a kick start when he discovered his faith in a national park, setting him on a path that took him from cross country from California to New Orleans, then to Brooklyn, where after an inspiring Birthright Israel trip, he found a home in the Lubavitch community- a gig as guitarist for Hasidic reggae star Matisyahu.With one foot firmly in the post-Phish jam band world and another in Crown Heights, he now performs electrifying extended jams of Chabad niggunim in clubs, festivals and has released its debut album on Sony/JMG.


Al HaNisim
Nigun Simcho

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February 8, 2007: 10:15 pm: AdministratorRock, Singer/Songwriter, Women's voices

Or Chadash

Beth Schafer is an award-winning songwriter whose shows blend first-class musicianship with a little teaching and a little theatre into a high-impact transformative experience. Blazing a trail in American Jewish music for 10 years, she has been a guitarist since the age of 6 and attended the University of Miami School of Music on a jazz scholarship. Her specialty is an attention to the universal themes that not only define Judaism, but many other faiths as well. Beth’s infectious energy, well-crafted songs and intelligent lyrics coupled with a great band has made her a leading act in the Jewish music world. Her audiences are no longer just Jewish, she fans of all faiths who have found that her messages and music touch them. That universality that placed her center-court at an Orlando Magic game half-time show and won her the faith-based competition on American Idol Underground. Comfortable on both acoustic guitars and electric, she has been the “guitarist-in-residence” for the URJ’s national conferences for the past 6 years and is frequently featured at folk festivals. Beth likes making music, loves bringing people together through the power of music, and feels God’s presence when it all works right. She has no intention of forcing any beliefs on anyone, but to those who are searching for something greater than themselves, Beth seems to make a magical connection. She is creating modern-day musical midrash, the contemporary interpretations of ancient texts that help us make sense of humanity.

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