Veteran subway-performing Blues singer Jeremiah Lockwood teams up with an all-star cast of NY underground greats (musicians who have graced the records of Tom Waits, Arcade Fire and Antibalas, to name a few) to summon voices from beneath the concrete streets. Calling upon the sounds of Malian guitars, Saharan beats, Afro-pop horns and the B-L-U-E-S, The Sway Machinery goes knocking at the gates of prayer with muscles swollen and eyes clenched.
Son of composer Larry Lockwood and the grandson of the legendary Cantor Jacob Konigsberg, Jeremiah Lockwood began his musical career playing on the streets of Manhattan. He soon struck up a relationship with Piedmont Blues master Carolina Slim, with whom he still performs. Jeremiah and Carolina Slim have appeared together in Avery Fisher Hall, the New School Blues Festival, and have been profiled in The New York Times Magazine and TimeOut NY. Jeremiah has worked for years as the front man for The Sway Machinery, a blues/world beat/Chazzanus ensemble that taking New York by storm
In recent years, Jeremiah has also been appearing with J-Dub recording artists Balkan Beat Box. He is joined by drummer Brian Chase (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and the horn section of the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra to break down all barriers between mythic past and a future rich in the senses. Rejoicing in the season of the lunar New Year and taking the spiritual language of Ashkenazic Jewish cantorial traditions as its point of departure, a new creation will be embarked upon. Hidden Melodies Revealed will combine music, animated film, storytelling and the historically charged space of the Angel Orensanz Foundation towards the goal of shaping a context in which the musical traditions of the season can be absorbed by a modern audience. On this night, rich in feeling and sanctified by memory, ancient lore will blossom forth into an all-out party!
Ahavas Olam
Ivdu et HaShem
I Shall Chant Praises
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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.
RebbeSoul performs melodies from throughout the Jewish world, from Sephardic romanceros in Ladino to Lubavitch niggunim to tunes from Ashkenazi nusach. Carlebach melodies and Mizrahi piyyutim collide with a World beat rhythms- its the sound of the Jewish Diaspora coming home. And in after a Rebbesoul show, everyone will go home humming something new!
“World Fusion Beat Scientists” Zohar are led by composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Erran Baron Cohen, whose credits also include of the popular Da Ali G and Borat movie sountracks. ZOHAR weave together the beats and textures of modern club culture with hareem, hip-hop, electronica, dub and future grooves. It is a deconstruction of past, present and future, spanning Jewish Cantors, Arab Muezzins, Byzantine chants, meets today’s modern jazz and experimental musicians. Their approach is resolutely experimental and uncompromising with an instinctive feel for lush cinematic arrangements and intelligent melodies. Their acclaimed debut, One.Three.Seven.m was produced by Miles Copeland’s Ark 21 label.
