Artists Bands & Performers

Sirba Octet

A French Yiddish band which features: Richard Schmoucler (violin); Christian Briere (violin); Ana Bela chaves (viola); Laurence Allalah (cello); Bernard Cazauran (double-bass); Philippe Berrod (clarinet); Iurie Morar (cymbalum); Laurent Boukobza (pianist). Six of these artists are also members of the prestigious Orchestre de Paris. Their performances are very popular and obtained support from many artists including Christoph Eschenbach, Ivry Gitlis, and Jo Amar. Their first CD “Un Violon sur les Toit de Paris” achieved good reviews with excellent arrangements of traditional standards. The group is more widely presented on their website which includes a discography, bios of the group members, sound clips and a video interview with Richard Schmoucler (in French). Extensive publicity pdfs are also available with lots of information about the group and its programs.…
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Skier, Moshe

Milwaukee, Wisconsin: An Internal medicine specialist also plays in a rock band. It’s Jewish. Also was a bass player for Shlock Rock,… “the most prolific Jewish rock band in history. 14 albums and counting….” . Now he works on his own and is doing more writing. Musical examples, bio and info on newest CDs, such as Rock of Sages on the website. Mark and others in the bands he’s played in, have been a big influence in Jewish-themed rock music.
http://members.aol.com/mskiermd/

Smilow, Peri

American singer. Peri Smilow is singer/guitarist who performs synagogue and other religious music in a contemporary setting. She has also taken part in theFreedom Music Project, which features freedom music from the traditions of both Jews and Blacks. Peri Smilow, located in Boston, tries to repair relations between the two groups by putting activity and actions together. “Sign of the Dove Music” is Peri’s record label. To buy direct from Peri’s label: P.O. Box 3083 Cambridge MA. 02238
http://www.perismilow.com/

Soul Farm

Noah Solomon and C Lanzbom are the two artists behind Soul Farm. They first met in Israel in Modii m (founded by the late Shlomo Carlebach) in the 1990 s . They began performing together in Israel with their own band and also accompanied Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. After a few years, they moved to NYC where they formed the group Inasense which later became Soulfarm. The website features clips of music, photos, CDs for sale and news of their activities. The albums they have made include: Monkey Dance, Unwind, Live At The Wetlands, Scream of the Crop, Butterfly, Live in Berlin, The Ride, Get Your Shine Box, and Jerry Jams, Jerry Cares.
http://www.soulfarm.net

Spector, Johanna

Born in Lativa in April 23, 1915? 1920?. Ethnomusicologist. Came to the US in 1947 after losing her husband, parents and brother in the Holocaust. Earned a doctorate from HUC and master from Columbia University.Taught for two years at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Taught at Jewish Theological Seminary, starting in 1954 and continued there for over thirty years. Founded Department of Ethnomusicology in 1962 which specialized in the music of the Jews of Yemen, India and the Middle East. Collected an archive of thousands of recordings of Jews from very varied backgrounds. She produced numerous article and documentary films on the musics from these Jewish communities.

Staneslow, Sunita

Israeli harpist. Graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. Teaches and performs throughout Israel and frequently tours and gives master classes in US. She was named one of the top ten Jewish instrumentalists by Moment Magazine and she was a recipient of a 1998 McKnight Foundation Fellowship in recognition of her work with Jewish music. She was the principal harpist for the Jerusalem Symphony during the 1986-87 season and currently performs with the Ra anana Symphonette in Israel, the Jacob’s Ladder Folk Festival, and the Tel Aviv Irish Festival. In addition to solo performances Sunita also performs in a harp duo with harpist Tali Glaser who is the second harpist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Her other duo is with renowned clarinetist Mati. Sunita is a frequent guest with the Celtic Band,  Celtic Connection .…
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Stein, Margot

American. Born on June 25, 1961. Rabbi. Singer. Composer. Graduated cum laude from Princeton University in 1983, and from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1997. Rabbi Margot Stein sings and composes with the musical groups MIRAJ and Shabbat Unplugged. Her first solo album, “Create out of Nothing”, was produced in 1991. She wrote music and lyrics for an award- winning musical play, Guarding the Garden, with book by David Schechter. Seen by over 20,000 people, this musical toured North American synagogues for 4 seasons. Margot produced a recording of the music from Guarding the Garden in 1993. With MIRAJ, she has produced two albums of original Jewish music, “A Moon Note/Emunot” and “Counting Angels in the Wilderness.” With Shabbat Unplugged, she served as producer for the recording of a CD to accompany “A Night of Questions: A Passover Haggadah” (Reconstructionist Press, 2000).…
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Stern-Wolfe, Mimi

American. Pianist. Conductor. Graduate of Queens College, with a Master of Music in Piano and Conducting from the New England Conservatory. Board member of the American Society of Jewish music, and also member of the contemporary repertory committee of ASJM. Founder/director of Downtown Music Productions, a concert presenting organization with the Downtown Chamber and Opera Players. DMP has presented the works of hundreds of composers and has commissioned operas, chamber and vocal music, and theatrical and dance works. Over the 25 year history they have presented and performed many “Jewish Musical Currents” concerts, and have also released a CD “Composers of the Holocaust” (2001) that has been favorably reviewed in The Jewish Week,Aufbau and Jewish Currents. In 1989, she introduced the chamber works of Ervin Schulhoff at Emanuel Midtown Y Concert on 14 Street in a comprehensive concert series effort to introduce Schulhoff’s complete chamber and piano works to the public.…
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Stettner, Ellen

American. Cantor. Opera singer. She served as the first cantor of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue of New York City and held the post for 21 years. Cantor Stettner is on the faculty of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, School of Sacred Music, and currently is a member of the Joint Cantorial Placement Commission and Vice President of the American Conference of Cantors. Cantor Stettner has performed extensively throughout the country with the Santa Fe Opera, the New York Opera Ensemble, the New England Chamber Opera and the Princeton Opera. She won the prestigious National Arts and Letters Vocal Competition in Carnegie Hall and, as a result, was the featured soloist in a performance of Mozart arias with the American Symphony Orchestra. In addition, she was in documentaries produced by the BBC and the French National Television.…
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Strauss, Deborah

Highly regarded klezmer violinist. Also accordionist and vocalist. Studied at violin, Rutgers University. Ethnomusicology, University of Chicago. Member, Klezmer Conservatory Band. Strauss/Warschauer Duo. Leads workshops and classes in the United States and Canada as well as Europe. Faculty, KlezKamp and KlezKanada. Amsterdam International Yiddish Festival and other major Jewish music festivals in Europe and and North America. Discography includes: Josh Waletzky’s Crossing the Shadows, (2002); Sweet Home Bukovina Oriente Musik, (RIEN CD 13, 1998); Klezmer Music A Marriage of Heaven and Earth Ellipsis Arts (CD4090, 1996); Kapelye On the Air Shanachie(LC 5762, 1995); The Singing Waltz (Omega OCD 3027, 1996); Deborah also appears on two Klezmer Conservatory Band CDs: Dance Me to the End of Love (Rounder 11661-3169-2, 2000) and A Taste of Paradise(Rounder 11661-3189-2, 2003).…
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Streisand, Barbara

Superstar of American pop music, film, music director, Broadway actress, comedian and activist. Ms. Streisand’s official website contains extensive biographical information and chronological lists of her films, awards, career and a discography. The Streisand Foundation page lists recipients of grants. Ms. Streisand is surpassed only by Elvis Presley in the number of Gold Albums sold. Blessed with the incredible voice, she remains one of my favorite singers and one of the greatest voices of the century.
http://www.barbrastreisand.com/

Swados, Elizabeth

Composer, playwright, orchestrator, director, and author of 6 children’s books and over directed over 30 plays. Born February 5, 1951 in Buffalo, NY. She went to Bennington College studying classical music. In the 1960s she was an activist playing folk music at political events and in coffeehouses. Winner of 3 Obie Awards and 5 Tony Award nominations. She won Outer Critics Circle Awards, a PEN Citation, and an Anne Frank National Foundation for Jewish Culture award. She also received a Ford Foundation Fellowship, a Guggenheim, a Covenant and a Spielberg grant. Composed music for the American Repertory Theatre including The Merchant of Venice, The Good Woman of Setzuanand Jacques and His Master. She wrote some Broadway shows, incidental music for film and television productions.…
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Synagogenchor Zurich

Robert Braunschweig, director. Bernard San, Chazan. Language of site: German. The amazing thing about this website is that they’ve digitized their standard repertoire to make it available to their members. You can view or print from this digital music collection at their website. Website includes a schedule of their concerts and synagogue work.
http://www.synagogenchor.ch/pages/en/home.php?lang=EN

Tal, Michal

Israeli. Pianist. As one of Israel’s leading pianists, she has served since 2004, as the vice-director of the Givatayim Conservatory. Michal teaches, coaches and lectures at the Thelma Yelin High School for the Arts, the Jerusalem Music Center and the Tel Aviv Academy of Music. For many years she has promoted musical education in Israel. Michal Tal enjoys a versatile career as a soloist, chamber musician and as a devoted performer of new music.
Coming from a musical family, Michal started her piano lessons at the age of five. At the age of 16 she performed as a soloist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. She studied at The Tel Aviv Academy of Music, and from 1983-1988 at Indiana University, and also in New York at The Juilliard School, and SUNY at Stony Brook with Richard Goode, Leon Fleischer, Richard Goode and Gilbert Kalish.…
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Tapuah beDvash

Folk group “Tapuah beDvash” was created last year in Israel from experienced and popular musicians of Israel. P.Levin – string player- soloist of Israel chamber orchestra (Tel-aviv). U. Chernishev – guitar player- musician in jazz band of Tel-aviv. A. Egorov – double bass-balalaika player, musician in Bar-Ilan orchestra of east music. V. Fridman- popular player of national wind instruments. A. Geyko- The leader of the group and compositions’ writer play of ethnic wind and percussion instruments. The concert program of “Tapuah beDvash” is formed on Jewish folklore with elements Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Moldavian, Greek and Turkish folklore. The peculiarity of this group distinguishes it from klezmer music in that there are not only traditional instruments (string, guitar, clarinet, small drum), byt the musicians use many other interesting ethnic instruments (wind instruments- koval, fluer, Akkorini, Sopeli, Volinka, Halili, and drums- Darbuka, Lojki, Buhalo, and many others).…
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Tasat, Cantor Dr. Ramon

Born in Buenos Aires, Cantor Dr. Ramón Tasat learned Ladino, the language of the Sephardic people, at his grandmother’s knee; his style reflects the rich history and drama of this extraordinary culture. Trained in five different countries, he received a doctorate in voice performance from the University of Texas at Austin. His doctoral dissertation is entitled The Cantillations and Religious Poems of the Jews of Tangier, Morocco. Cantor Tasat has toured Europe with world-renowned Dr. Robert Shaw and has participated in international festivals on both sides of the Atlantic. Dr. Tasat has appeared in numerous opera productions including Le Nozze di Figaro, All Impressario, and La Traviata, and has drawn worldwide critical as well as audience acclaim. After attending Ramón s Cantata Ebraica concert, Rabbi Samuel Weintraub remarked, “Ramón Tasat is a gem.…
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Teplow, Nomi

American born Israeli soprano, vocal coach and songwriter. Born in Ohio. Attended Columbia University for undergraduate and graduate studies. Member of the Metropolitan Singers Choral Society (Lincoln Center). Student of Agnes Massini (Rubin Academy of Music) after coming to Israel, 1990. Sang with the Tel-Aviv Philharmonic Choir, participated in several Israel Festival and on Israeli radio. Worked with leading Israeli popular artists such as Yoni Rechter and Shlomo Gronich. Nomi’s first CD, consisting of her original songs, is “Kumi Ori” (Arise Shine).S he gives voice and performance workshops in schools and to choirs throughout Israel, and is a vocal coach to high schools students from prestigious arts schools throughout Israel. Her New Album is : “My Brothers I Seek” with The Shir-El Choir of Ulpanat Lehava Kedumim.…
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Teplow, Rebecca

American. Singer-songwriter. Rebecca Teplow began her musical path as a classically trained violinist while attending Yeshiva of Flatbush elementary school in Brooklyn, NY. After graduating from the prestigious High School of Performing Arts, Rebecca then went on to pursue a degree in Music Performance where she studied under violinist Itzhak Perlman and composer Robert Starer. Eventually, her thoughts turned from instrumental performance to the creation of music. Rebecca’s desire to write songs was realized with the release of her first CDT’filot/Prayers (2004). She released her second CD Kaveh/Hope (2008) to good reviews.
http://www.rebeccateplow.com

The Alexandria Kleztet

The website of this klezmer group contains bios, concert calendar, photos and links to related sites. The group’s leader Seth Kibel (clarinet) and Scott Harlan (bass) both provide original compositions for the group in jazz-fusion and surf music (among other influences) to create an “alternate klezmer” sound. the others rounding out the quartet are Claire Cardon (violin) and Tim Jarvis (percussion)
http://www.kleztet.com/

The Chassidic Jazz Project

Reuben Hoch, percussionist, active on the New York jazz scene, became a member of the Israeli jazz quartet Zaviot. The Chassidic Jazz Project formed in 1998, combines “traditional Chassidic melodies with contemporary jazz arrangements.” Others in the project are Tom Lippincott, guitar; Marie Randel, violin; Barbara Corcillo, cellist; Felipe Lamoglia, saxophone; Dan Feiszli, bass; Robert Thomas Jr., percussionist. The “Chassidic Jazz Project blends elements of jazz, fusion and new world.”
http://www.chassidicjazz.com

The Diaspora Yeshiva Band

This band, formed in the 1970’s at the Diaspora Yeshiva in Jerusalem, combines American bluegrass, rock and country music with the chassidic nigun. They gained fame after garnering prizes at the Chassidic Music Festival in Israel in the late 1970’s. Today the band consists of eight members and has produced six albums including Melave Malke, At the Gate of Return, The Diaspora Yeshiva Band, and Land of Our Fathers. Samples of their style are available in Real Audio on their website. They sing in both Hebrew and English.
http://www.diasporaband.com/bio.php

The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band

“Upbeat Jewish music from the Ashkenazic and Sephardic traditions, with Brazilian, gypsy and Celtic influences. The 5-piece ensemble from Sacramento, California band performs mainly in Northern California, but is quite willing to travel for special occasions. The band also performs original compositions. Lots of singing (in Yiddish, Ladino and Hebrew) and fascinating instrumentation (clawhammer banjo, Brazilian classical guitar, clarinet, accordion, mandolin, string bass) – a wonderful ensemble for your planned concert, wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, fundraiser or other simcha.
Contact: andyrubin@comcast.net
www.freilachmakers.com

The Israel Choral Organization

Hallel (ISCO) is a union of conductors and choirs in Israel. ICO was founded in June 1998 in order “to support and advance choral singing in Israel.” It promotes workshops, seminars, gatherings, pedagogy, activities, including international activities, publishes a quarterly bulletin and supports a website. The website is very out of date in terms of concert listings, but is maintained in Hebrew and English. Nevertheless contact information in provided.
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Studio/5379/

The Jerusalem Cantors Choir

The Jerusalem Cantors Choir of Jerusalem, Israel, an all male choir, wishes to both preserve and modernize the music of our ancient prayers and songs. The choir s repertoire includes cantorial, liturgical, Yiddish, Chassidic and Israeli works. The Jerusalem cantors choir was established in 1972 by a group of students of the late Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Rivlin. The choir is based in the Hechal Shlomo, Jerusalem, Israel. The musical director and conductor of our choir is Binyamin Glickman. The choir s pianist is Rita Feldman-Gelfman, who studied at the Alma Ata Music Academy in Kazakhstan and received an MA in playing and teaching. She made Aliya in 1990 and has accompagnied the choir since 1991.
http://www.jcc.org.il/

The Jerusalem Lyric Trio

Amalia Ishak, soprano; Wendy Eisler-Kashy, flute; and Allan Sternfield, piano are the trio’s performers. The Jerusalem Lyric Trio is an Israeli ensemble that highlights the religious and cultural heritage of the Jewish people in its performances. Since 1995, they have performed our programs throughout Western and Eastern Europe, the United States, South America, Russia, and of course, Israel.
The Trio’s repertoire, in addition to familiar classical repertoire, includes works inspired by biblical texts, Jerusalem, the landscape of Israel, the Holocaust, and familiar songs (in Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ladino). They have represented Israel in international music festivals, including the Old Testament in the Arts (Prague), Judische Kulturtage (Munich), Musical Spring in St. Petersburg (Russia), The Eighth International New Music Festival (Riga, Latvia), Encuentros (Buenos Aires), Concentus Moravaie (Czech Republic) and the Budapest Spring Festival 2000.…
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The Klezmer Connection

A musical quartet called The Klezmer Connection now has a website advertising the group, with Iosif Zilberman, violin; Dimitry Cernavski, clarinet/saxophone; Michele Levine, vocalist and pianist/keyboardist and Andrea Valentini, percussion. They perform in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut area. The Klezmer Connection specializes in klezmer, Yiddish and Israeli music, as well as American standards such as Broadway showtunes and lots of swing music. Klezmer Connection has “performed throughout the US, Europe and Israel at concerts, music festivals, and, most joyously, bar/bat mitzvahs and weddings.” They are often joined by Jim Gold, a folk-dance teacher and leader. Contact Michele Levine: 914-328-3408 or email:
klezmerconnection@hotmail.com
http://klezmerconnection.com/

The Melbourne Jewish Male Voice Choir

The Melbourne (Australia) Jewish Male Voice Choir has been in existence for over a year, has performed with the Johannesburg Jewish Male Choir at the Melbourne Concert Hall in June ’99, and had it’s own concert in December ’99 at St. Kilda Synagogue. The Choir’s conductor is Brett Kaye, a young South African who moved to Australia. The Choir’s resident soloist is Rabbi Heilbrunn. Jack Sweetman is Secretary and may be contacted by email.
jaswe@werple.net.au

The Shira Center of London All Girls’ Choirs

The Shira Center attracts girls from all over NorthWest London. Formed just two years ago, the center responds to the growing London interest from religious women and girls in choral training and singing. It has provided Jewish musical opportunities and entertainment for girls and women from all over London. The center is made up of five different choirs, and classes for singers of all ages and abilities. They have released a CD called “Silver Lining” which is gaining huge popularity. Their website has more information about attending some of the classes and concerts. Dena Cohen appears to be a resident composer attached to the groups.
http://www.theshiracentre.com/

The Zamir Chorale

The Zamir Chorale, founded in 1960 by Stanley Sperber, has been directed by Matthew Lazar since 1972. It has become the leading voice of the Jewish choral movement. The choir has won international acclaim for its superior performances, encompassing the full spectrum of four centuries and more of Jewish choral repertoire. Zamir has been a major spark in creating a new generation of Jewish choral music, commissioning and premiering works by contemporary North American and Israeli composers. The Chorale has collaborated with Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, Daniel Barenboim and others in the choral/orchestral. The Chorale has also appeared with a diverse array of artists including Elie Wiesel, Naomi Shemer, Richie Havens, Danny Kaye, Theodore Bikel, Hershel Bernardi and Shoshana Damari. During its more than 40 years of creating Jewish harmony, Zamir’s musical leadership has thrilled tens of thousands in audiences across generational and denominational lines, and has set the standard for Jewish choral music in North America.…
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The Zemel Choir

The Zemel Choir, founded in 1955 and located in London, UK, is a mixed voice choir that performs extensively in the UK, Israel and elsewhere. The repertoire is inclusive of Jewish liturgical, Israeli, madgrigals, modern and classical music. The choir has performed internationally at festivals, concerts, on the BBC and other media venues. The choir prides itself on its high musical standards.
http://www.the-zemel-choir.org/

Theodore Bikel

Theodore Bikel: actor, singer and political activist. Known for his portrayals of Tevye the Milkman in more than 2000 performances of Fiddler on the Roof. Bikel is an advocate of Yiddish folk song. Bikel has been active in organizations dealing with the arts, theatre, and the intersection with government, business and regulation. He has written an autobiography called Theo: The Autobiography of Theodore Bikel. His website includes biographical sketches, lecture topics, speeches, sound clips and a schedule.
http://www.bikel.com

Tiferet, Hanna

Songwriter, singer, liturgical leader.
“Hanna was the first woman to receive the title of “Eshet Hazon”— Woman of Vision, and “Miyoledet Neshama” —Midwife of the Soul. She received ordination as a rabbinic pastor from Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and studied at the Hebrew Univerity in Jerusalem as a Melton Senior Educator. She is currently co-spiritual leader at Congregation B’nai Or of Boston.” CDs include “Awaken, Arise” and “Kol Koreh: A Voice Calls,” “Olamama,” “Refuah Shleyma: The Healing Circle,” “And You Shall Teach Your Children,” and “Or Shalom.” Her website lists CDs, teachings, songbooks and contact information. Hanna Tiferet Siegel.FAX: 617-363-0371 E-mail: hanna@hannatiferet.com
www.hannatiferet.com

Tourel, Jennie

Born, June 22, 1900, Vitebsk, Russia. Died November 23, 1973, New York. Mezzo-soprano. At Opéra Comique for ten years. During WWII, Tourel espcaped through Portugal, then Cuba and finally NY. After an audition with toscanini, she appeared with New York Philharmonic and other major orchestras. Debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in May, 1937 and first appeared in Israel in 1949. Taught at Julliard in New York and in Jerusalem at the Rubin Academy. She was a great friend of Leonard Bernstein, who wrote Jeremiah Symphony to fit her coloratura mezzo-soprano voice. A picture from the Perry Collection at the University of Buffalo shows a picture of Tourel at the Russian Tea Room in NY.

Trio Sefarad

A group dedicated to the revival and interpretation of Sephardi repertoire. Nora Usterman – soprano; Ernesto Wildbaum – violín; Ricardo Barceló – guitar. Since 1994, the Trio has successfully performed at international festivals and a great number of concerts in Spain and abroad. The website is both in English and Spanish. It includes performer bios, photos, events calendar and a little history.
http://www.arrakis.es/~wildbaum

Tsufit

Israeli born singer songwriter. Her website bio reads: “By the age of 5, Tsufit, who had already lived in three countries, was putting on shows for the neighbourhood kids. By junior high, she joined a folk club that performed for the school. At age 14, she picked up the guitar at camp and a few years later, while still in high school, she started writing her own songs and performing at local folk clubs. A vivacious actress who was often cast in comedic roles in theatrical productions, Tsufit was shy in live concert situations. She had won several talent shows by singing pretty little songs until one day a friend of her mother told her to get her face out of the guitar and talk to the audience.…
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Tucker, Sophie

One of the earliest Jewish popular music stars to entertain general as well as Jewish audiences, Sophie Tucker was born January 13, 1884 somewhere between Russia and Poland as her parents were coming to America. She arrived as an infant in the U.S. in 1884. Her parents, Charlie and Jennie Abuza, (name was changed from Kalish by the father to avoid Russian army)went to Boston and then to Hartford, Connecticut where the family opened a restaurant and rooming house. Sophie loved entertaining and used every opportunity as a young girl to show off, sometimes singing for customers. She dreamed of becoming a star and performed in some amateur groups at the local theater.

After high school she married a young trucker named Louis Tuck, and they had one son, Bert.…
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Tureck, Roselyn

American. Born December 14, 1914,in Chicago. Pianist. Graduated Julliard School of Music, 1935. Studied with Olga Samaroff. Carnegie Hall Debut Oct. 18, 1935. and Town Hall Young Artist Award with all-Bach concert over six weeks in 1937. She taught extensively in the New York area, and also toured frequently in Europe, Israel, South Africa and South America. Recorded Bach and other keyboard reportoire for harpsichord, clavichord and organ. Recipient of five honorary doctorates. Publications included Introduction to the Performance of Bach (1960). Taught at Mannes College (1940-1944); Julliard (1943-1955); Univ. of California at San Diego (1966-1972) and Yale (1991-1993). In 1994 she founded the Tureck Bach Research Institute at Oxford. Her CDs are still widely available. Many of her papers are held at the Special Collections of Mugar Library, Boston University and at the New York Public Library, Music Division at Lincoln Center.…
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Tzimmes

Tzimmes is a musical group based in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Tzimmes offers a program that “emphasizes the tremendous diversity within Jewish music.” They sing klezmer tunes, Sephardic and North American folk ballads. Their programs usually include several languages. Musical samples are available at the site.
http://www.tzimmes.net/

Van Schie, Tjako

Adrian Stoet, violin and Tjako Van Schie, piano have been playing together since 1984. On one CD, he plays Jewish music from the camps and ghettos of WWII. Their CD is “Shtil, die nacht iz Oysgesternt: Yiddish Music from the Ghettos and Concentration Camps. It has selections such as ‘Peat Bog Soldier’, ‘Es Brent’, ‘Yisrolik’ and other Yiddish and European songs from WWII and the Holocaust. Van Schie teaches at the Amsterdam Conservatory and concertizes in NL and elsewhere in Europe. He is a specialist in Bach.
http://users.castel.nl/~schic02/yiddish.htm

Voice of the Turtle

Voice of the Turtle is a Boston-based group specializing in the music of the Jews of Spain. The group “learns most of its repertoire from field recordings housed in Jerusalem at the Jewish Music Research Center, at Hebrew University and at the radio station Kol Yisrael. These versions were collected by radio-journalists, scholars, and ethnomusicologists from Sephardi communities in Israel,documenting many versions of the songs which have been preserved by oral tradition.” Their website includes information on the performers, their instruments, and the group through FAQs. Artistic Director, Judith Wachs.
http://www.voiceoftheturtle.com

Voices of Eden

Eliana Gilad uses voice and rhythm as a natural healer. She has several CDs of healing and calming music and also CDs with lullabies for babies. She conducts workshops in Israel, other countries in the Middle East, Europe and the US. She claims her music “has been found to lower blood pressure, increase focus and quality of sleep.” Her website also has a travel and event calendar, sound clips and contact information.
http://www.voicesofeden.com/main.html

Voices of Sepharad

Group performing since 1986. Music and dance of the Sephardic heritage. Judith Brin Ingber (dancer, choreographer and co-founder); David Harris (Artistic Director, vocalist, and co-founder); Mick LaBriola (percussionist); David Burk (guitar, ‘ud, chumbush, bass);David Rockne Stenshoel (violin). They have CDs called Hamsa, Viva Sepharad, and Pasión. They perform in and around the Minneapolis area.
http://www.voicesofsepharad.com/

Wachs, Judith

American musicologist, performer, artistic director. Judith Wachs serves as artistic director of Voice of the Turtle, a Boston-based group specializing in the music of the Jews of Spain. The group “learns most of its repertoire from field recordings housed in Jerusalem at the Jewish Music Research Center, at Hebrew University and at the radio station Kol Yisrael. These versions were collected by radio-journalists, scholars, and ethnomusicologists from Sephardi communities in Israel,documenting many versions of the songs which have been preserved by oral tradition.” Their website includes information on the performers, their instruments, and the group through FAQs.
http://www.voiceoftheturtle.com

Waksman-Kimiagaroof, Mira

Mira Waksman-Kimiagaroof, a San Francisco-based artist, sings in Hebrew, although many compositions are Sephardic (Mediterranean and Middle Eastern) tunes that come from Uzbekistan, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Morocco and other Arabic countries. Her parents were of Uzbeki and Afghan heritage and she comes from a cantorial and family. She combines her Israeli musical influences blended with musics from others she works with.The website has a brief bio, features two recordings and press info. There are photos, but no labels.
http://www.mirasings.com

Wasserman-Margolis, Eva

Born on the island of Key West in the Florida Keys, Eva Wasserman-Margolis began to study clarinet at the age of 13. After finishing her Master Degree in Music Performance (1980) at the University of Illinois, she secured, at the age of 23, the position of principal clarinet with the Haifa Symphony Orchestra in Israel. While in Israel, she studied musicology at Bar Ilan University. She has focused on introducing audiences to performances and recordings of music of lesser-known composers in ensembles and solo works. She has recorded for composer Sara Feigin and finished a recording project of rare music for two clarinets and piano with Luigi Magistrelli. She has also been dedicated to raising a new generation of young clarinet players. They now study and perform all over the world.…
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Weigl, Vally

Born, Vienna, 1899. Died, New York, 1982. Composer and piano teacher. Studied at the University of Vienna. Master’s in music therapy, Columbia University. National Endowment for the Arts grant enabled her to compose and record Natures Moods, New England Suite, and four song cycles. Chief music therapist at New York Medical College. Organized “Arts for World Unity” in 1960s. Photo credit: http://www.klassiekemuziekgids.net/compindex.htm

West Ott, Cantor Anna

American. Ordained in May 1998 from the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York City. Cantor at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple since July 1999. She had a diverse career in central New Jersey as a singer, pianist, guitarist, educator, and choral director long before she came to the cantorate. She grew up in Metuchen, graduated from Hillel Academy in Perth Amboy and Bruriah High School in Elizabeth, graduated with honors from Douglass College with her BA in Music Education and Piano while taking advanced courses in the Hebraic Studies department, and obtained her MA in Vocal Performance from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey). She taught vocal music for ten years in the public schools of Piscataway Township, NJ and taught private students in piano, guitar, voice, Hebrew, and B nai Mitzvah studies.…
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Wetzler, Laura

Laura Wetzler, Born 1957 in Bayshore, NY. NYC-based singer, composer, lyricist, recording artist, and lecturer. Tours internationally. More than 150 concerts, lectures, workshops, radio, and TV appearances each year. ASCAP award winning original music and independent film scores State of the Art. Daughter of Long Island synagogue music director Rosalie Wetzler, Laura began singing and teaching Jewish music professionally at the age of 15. Received Bachelor of Science Degree in Vocal Performance from Hofstra University. Dorothy B. Hoag Scholar in Music. Presents 24 different concerts/ lecture programs, including “A World of Jewish Music,” sung in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, and Aramaic, “Kabbalah Music: Songs of the Jewish Mystics,” >”Music of the Jews of Italy” “Jewish Women in Jewish Song,” “The Hitmakers: Jewish Roots, American Dreams,” “The Kidsong Jewish Songwriting Workshop,” “Music of the Jews of Africa-Uganda And Ethiopia,” “Jewels of the Diaspora,” a duo concert with Janiece Thompson, touring colleges, museums and community centers since 1990 doing grassroots African-American and Jewish peace and anti-racism work through song; plus performances of her original music and independent film scores (State of the Art.)Recordings Songwriter’s Notebook and Kabbalah Music:Songs of the Jewish Mystics receive international radio airplay .…
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Wetzler, Rosalie

Rosalie Wetzler, Born Brooklyn NY in 1914. Died, 1973. Synagogue music director, conductor, pianist, organist, cantorial coach, Jewish music radio personality and life long Jewish music educator. Conducted Rosalie Wetzler Choirs. Prepared and conducted vocal quartets for Long Island synagogues and as a member of the Jewish Music Forum in NYC. In the 1950’s and 1960’s was a pioneer in bringing many new works of Jewish music by Freed, Weiner, Binder, Ephros, Janowski to NY congregations. One recording: “Our Temple Music” (out of print). Sang soprano with The Gotham Singers octet in the first NY performance (March 19, 1956 at The Jewish Museum) of Max Janowski’s Avinu Malkenu. In addition to her work as a synagogue music director and educator, Rosalie Wetzler hosted a weekly Sunday morning radio program of Jewish music from Israel and around the world on WBAB, Babylon, NY.…
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Wolff, Cantor Josee

“Cantor Wolff, a native of The Netherlands, holds a degree in flute from the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, and performed and recorded throughout Europe as a member of various chamber ensembles. In 1991 she received her Masters degree in Sacred Music from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, School of Sacred Music and was the first woman from the European continent to be invested as a cantor… She currently serves as Director of Student Placement and a part time faculty member at the School of Sacred Music, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. She was Director of the Department of Synagogue Music of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, and served as cantor at Temple Shalom in Succasunna, NJ, Temple Beth Chaverim in Mahwah, NJ, Congregation Rodeph Sholom in New York City, the Liberal Jewish Congregation in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and the Hebrew Congregation of St.…
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