All posts by JMWC

Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies, Cantors

Muller, Benjamin

Benjamin Muller is the Chief Chazzan of the Jewish community of Antwerp, Belgium. His website has his personal history, links to a CD page which has excerpts of the music. You have to click on the small bars below the titles. (Each bar is it’s own set of play/pause/stop buttons.) He also has some interesting histories of the great cantors with small clips. A very intersting “right and wrong” nusach combinations pages (using the metaphor of stoplights for “right” and “wrong” combinations) is a small teaching tool.
http://www.benjaminmuller.com

Artists Bands & Performers

Mozaik

A new group called Mozaik based in San Francisco with a self description from their webpage:”The music has been described as: Psychedelic Jewgrass, Klezmer Jamband, Klezmer Trance, Fiddler on the Roof meets the Grateful Dead or the Grateful Dead playing A Jewish Wedding, or try this one Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach sitting in with Vanilla Fudge …”
http://www.mozaik.org

Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies

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/

Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies

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

Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies

Milder, Larry

Guitarist. Rabbi. Singer songwriter. “Larry has produced three albums of new and original Jewish folk music: Bible & Beyond, On My Block, and Rats, Leviathans & Other Tails. Larry’s songs also appear on over a dozen albums, including NFTY at 50, an anthology of classic songs from the Reform Jewish youth movement; Havdalah Pajama by Judy Caplan Ginsburgh, winner of a Parents’ Choice award; and most recently, Celebrate Kids, the latest collection by Craig Taubman.” His song “Wherever You Go (There’s Always Someone Jewish!),” has been taught in schools around New England. Three of Larry’s songs are included in the new Shireinu songbook from Transcontinental Music. Taught guitar master classes at the CAJE Conference. Guitarist of Hamakor, Boston’s Israeli folk dance troupe. Founded the innovative Jewish band, Elijah Rock.…
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Artists Bands & Performers, Choral Music Groups and Organizations

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

Artists Bands & Performers

Mah Tovu

Rock ‘n’ roll band formed in 1991 comprised of Steve Brodsky, Ken Chasen, and Josh Zweiback. Original songs use rock ‘n’ roll as a means of teaching Jewish history, Hebrew, and Jewish values. Steve and Josh were songleaders for the National Federation of Temple Youth’s Missouri Valley Region, and had grown up deeply involved in Jewish camping, youth programming, and Jewish music. First recording, Jewish Rock and Roll Singer” (1992)followed by “Only This” (1996). Released a CD single of “Pharaoh, Pharaoh,” a parody of the 60’s Kingsmen’s song “Louie, Louie” which is a huge hit on the Jewish camp and youth group circuit.
http://www.mahtovu.com/

Artists Bands & Performers

Los Pasharos Sefaradis

A singing group from Istanbul, Turkey that specializes in Sephardic music. They have been acclaimed as quite authentic in terms of Sephardic and Ladino (Judeo-Spanaish) music. The website is in Turkish and English and gives information about the performers and their CDs. Real Audio files give samples of their music. Members of the group have advanced degrees in Judeo-Spanish culture and come from the academic as well as performance side of the culture.
http://www.sephardic-music.com

Artists Bands & Performers, Choral Music Groups and Organizations

Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale

“The Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale was founded in 1997 by Cantor Ira Bigeleisen and Rand Harris. LAZC has been invited to perform in venues throughout the world and continues its mission of bringing Jewish music, particularly music written by Southern California Jewish composers, to audiences in America and abroad.” The website includes a history of the group, a list of performances, a calendar, and a listing of recording projects. The Chorale is available for performances and travels world wide. Nick Strimple, the music director, is also a composer, scholar and author on choral music.
http://www.lazc.org/

Artists Bands & Performers

London Unplugged

Album, “London Unplugged” has been released, and the group has a website: Music by Yisroel Lamm and songs composed by Yoel Calek. Other members are Dovid-Zvi Calek, and Motti and Shloimie Richman. The website provides information for purchasing their CD, but not much information about the group. There is a guest book and visitors can leave questions for group members.
http://www.londonunplugged.com

Artists Bands & Performers, Choral Music Groups and Organizations

London Jewish Male Choir

London group founded in 1926 and continuing to perform regularly throughout the UK. The choir has performed in the USA, Germany, Ireland, South Africa and Poland as well as Israel. There is a photo gallery and member bios. The group has a CD called “For All These Things”. The website includes an incredibly helpful list of scores the group has used. They have a database which lists the composer,name of piece, arranger, category of use, and their latest performance pieces. Unfortunately, in order to view the scores, you must load a capellasoftware into your computer.
http://www.ljmc.org.uk/

Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies

Lloyd, Lazar

Currently based in Beit Shemesh, Israel, American-born guitarist and orthodox religious singer whose music is American folk and blues. His influences are Folk, Blues, Country. His first High School bands were influenced by Neil Young, Willy Nelson, Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray. He majored in Music at Skidmore College in upstate NY and started an original band, The Last Mavericks. Released Higher Ground CD in 2004. People can order the CD from Cdbaby –which is really a blues album with a “Jewish twist”. Lloyd is known worldwide as the lead guitar and harmonica player for the only Jewish Jam Band– Reva L’ Sheva. Some have compared his guitar playing to Eric Clapton. Lazer hosted the Tel Aviv Bluesfest and toured in Berlin in 2004. He then toured America and Canada in 2005.…
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Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies

Lieberman, Allan

Jewish holiday songs for kids and educational workshop. “In the 70’s and 80’s Allan Lieberman sold advertising and then real estate. In the 1990’s he tossed away his briefcase and three-piece suit and picked up his guitar and began writing songs. Since then he has written over 200 tunes; everything from serious to satire; as well as songs for kids and the young at heart. He has entertained throughout the country for children, families and adults. Allan’s concerts are interactive, enthusiastic and FUN. He has produced four full length recordings and his most recent, It’s The Miracle, was honored by Parent’s Choice Magazinewith their prestigious Gold Award. Allan has travelled throughout the country, singing to children at pre-school camps as well as resident camps.”
http://www.allanlieberman.com/index.shtml…
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Artists Bands & Performers, Choral Music Groups and Organizations

LA-SHIR Choir

LA-SHIR CHOIR, (The Los Angeles Hebrew Choir), is a choir “dedicated to the preservation, propagation and enjoyment of Hebrew songs, new and old.” The repertoire consists mainly of modern secular songs of Israel, with occasional selections of traditional Jewish songs, including Yiddish and ancient Judeo-Spanish (Ladino). The website is out of date but has contact information.
http://www.lashir.com

Artists Bands & Performers

Lama Lo!

“LAMA LO!” ensemble was established in 1999 with the support of the Ministry of Absorption in Jerusalem. “LAMA LO!”(“WHY NOT!”) presents a new view of traditional Jewish folklore by blending traditional klezmer music with elements of classical, jazz and Middle Eastern ethnic music, thus forming the bright individual and creative manner of the group. It consists of 6 professional musicians: Roman Kekhman virtuoso clarnetist (soloist), Yevgeniy Lyublin (Trumpet), Yuri Povolotsky (Piano, Accordion), Yakov Entin(Violin , Bass), Eduard Rezonov(Contrabass) and Anatoly Magdalinsky (Drums). Lama Lo! participated in arrangements, organized by Knesset, the President’s House, and other governmental institutions, and took part in the opening of international klezmer festival in S’fat. All concerts organized by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2001 and in 2002 were a great success.…
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Artists Bands & Performers

Kol Zimra

Based in Englewood, N.J., this is a vocal group of orthodox men who perform a capella and with simcha bands. Benny Amar and Alex Katz co-founded the group to perform “at bar/bat mitzvahs, chuppahs, sheva berachos, banquets and more.” They have a CD, Kulanu B’Yachad, which has instrumental accompaniments interspersed with a capella. It is interesting to see how the group’s tunes turn from traditional Jewish music to incorporating elements of American music including moments from old spirituals and pop tunes to modern orthodox.
http://www.kolzimra.com/website/

Artists Bands & Performers

Kol Simcha

Kol Simcha, a Swiss ensemble formed in 1986, plays an assortment of klezmer styles from traditional to “contemporary.” The website provides an up-to-date schedule, including venues in Switzerland, Germany, France and Norway. The biographies reveal that band members include both American and European trained musicians. Four CDs are featured with playlists and sound snippets. The newer website features news, movies and videos online, as well as all their sponsors and managers all over Europe.
http://www.kolsimcha.com/english/TheBand/frame_band.html

Artists Bands & Performers, Choral Music Groups and Organizations

Kol Halev Choir

Led by Cantor Annie Rose, the Kol Halev Choir is part of Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor, MI. They have released a video of their Eastern European Tour. It’s a delightful 16 minute film showing the joy of Jewish community members hearing the choir sing in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino, Bulgarian and Romanian. Kol Halev went on a tour of Romania, Bulgaria and Greece singing to very appreciative audiences. The filmmakers share a short chat, also included in the DVD. Kol Halev is also planning to release a DVD of their journey to Argentina.
http://www.kohalevfilms.org

Artists Bands & Performers

Klezmorim

The “history” of Klezmer is part of this website –about The Klezmorim — “the Berkeley, California band that jump-started the worldwide klezmer revival in 1975.” The website provides an easy-to-peruse chronology of the band’s history, biographies, discography, and lots of “inside stories.” With several books published recently on the history of klezmer, it will be interesting to readers to gain access to this perspective from someone who was there “in the beginning”– of the American klezmer revival, that is!
http://klezmo.com/

Artists Bands & Performers

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/

Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies, Women in Jewish Music

Kline, Shira

American. Singer. Musician, educator, and performer, and Jewish-Bop sing-along music for children. Lives in New York. Grew up in Monroe, Louisiana at Temple B’nai Israel. Father, Rabbi David Kline. Attended Sarah Lawrence College. She writes: “My family infused every moment of life with Jewish celebration and love for all aspects of Judaism-special homemade foods, singing and dancing to Jewish music, exploring and reveling in all holidays, ethics, lessons learned through Jewish eyes. My father taught me meditation as a form of prayer at a very early age. My mother brought in each Shabbat with her beautiful candle-lighting and homemade challah and at bedtime my father sent me to sleep with sweet dreams of Shabbat angels. In all of my work, I strive toward the path of Oneness with ourselves, Oneness with God and the beauty of the world around us.” CD called “Sing Shabbat with Shira Kline”.…
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Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies

Kessler, Jack

American. Cantor. Jack Kessler was ordained as a Cantor at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and went on to have a twenty-year career serving Conservative congregations. During that time he received a Master’s degree in voice from Boston Conservatory and pursued studies in composition in the graduate department of Brandeis University, where he worked with Arthur Berger and Harold Shapero, and Bethany Beardslee at Harvard. A lyric baritone, he has performed opera, oratorio, and premiered new works, in addition to his ongoing career as a singer of Hazzanut, the sacred cantorial art. Originally trained as an Ashkenazi Hazzan, his performance style and original compositions also embrace Sephardi and Mizrachi styles. Hazzan Kessler has lectured and taught master classes in Jewish music at New England Conservatory in Boston, the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York, and presented many concerts in an educational format.…
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Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies

Katz, Noam

American. Born in Rochester, NY. Attended summers at URJ Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, MA. learning the world of contemporary Jewish music, and social activism. He released RAKIA, a collection of 12 original songs in Hebrew and English in 2001. His career really started taking off in the summer of 2003, bringing programs “to hundreds of campers and staff at Union for Reform Judaism summer camps. He performed at the 2003 NFTY Convention in Washington, D.C., as well as for over 5000 Reform Jewish leaders at their 2004 Biennial Convention in Minneapolis, MN.” Noam has also served as the cantorial soloist for Temple Isaiah in Lexington, MA.
http://www.noamkatz.com/index

Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies

Katz, Neal

Neal Katz, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, (formerly from Virginia Beach, VA) writes and performs music in the folkrock-Reform tradition, ala Jeff Klepper. Neal has a pleasant folk voice and is a widely touring musician in the Reform camp movement, visiting many camp and youth groups each year. His website, nicely laid out, features a tour schedule, a bio and audio clips. A nice feature of the clips are that lyrics for the songs are included, along with a printer-friendly version of the texts. Sources for the Hebrew-transliterated texts are provided. The currently featured CD is called “Who Am I?”
http://katzmusic.com/index.htm

Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies

Karen, Kenny

Composer and recording artist. Born, January 8, 1944 Troy, NY to an Orthodox Rabbi’s family. Grew up in Montreal. Recordings for Elvis Presley movies and for Burt Bacharach including Bacharach’s original “Alfie”, “This Guy’s in Love With You” and countless other American “pop” classics. Show score demos include “Hello Dolly” and “Promises, Promises”. Participated in years of achievement in the jingle industry. Sang on over 15,000 radio and television spots. In October 1975, wrote and introduced “Jerusalem Is Mine” at the Jerusalem Theatre in Israel. Won 5 National Academy of Radio Arts & Sciences (NARAS) MVPAward for “Best Male Studio Singer.” Formed independent label, Eden Record Corp., in 1995. Kenny has 4 CDs listed are on website which highlight many of his Jewish creations. He has mp3 files to hear samples, along with a photo gallery of his life, lyrics, and a bio.…
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Artists Bands & Performers

Kahina Productions

Organization started by Eyal Bitton, that produces Jewish musicals, and oratorios. They will bring productions of various levels to different locales. Some of the musicals are: Journey to Jerusalem, David, Moses, Strangers in Strange Lands and Beloved. Eyal Bitton is currently the Choir Director of Toronto’s Beth Tikvah Synagogue Choir, formerly conducted by Srul Irving Glick. Eyal’s choral compositions and arrangements have been performed in synagogues, churches, and concert halls in Montreal, Ottawa, New York, and Israel. He has conducted choirs for The Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue (Canada’s first congregation), Adath Israel Poale Zedek , Jewish Peoples and Peretz Schools, La Chorale Kinor of the Communauté Sépharade Unifiée du Québec, and others. He has composed over 130 liturgical pieces.
http://www.kahinaproductions.com/…
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Artists Bands & Performers

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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Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies

Janning, Jeff

The Alta Rocker and His Corned Beef Rangers ride again. Blues, country? rock. CD baby selling as “Basic four piece Fender Guitar Bass Drums rock with funny English lyrics on Jewish themes.” JMWC says “Gives new meaning to the word schlock.” Some “fake-Yiddish-accent-type-humor”. Songs like “Don’t Eat the Pork”, and “Don’t Ogle my Kugel”. Some people might like the camp. Soung bites are available at the CD Baby site.
http://www.jeffjanning.com

Artists Bands & Performers

Israel Contemporary Players

“The Israel Contemporary Players was founded in 1991 with the aim of performing the best classical chamber ensemble repertoire of the 20th century – most of which had never been performed in Israel. Members of the Israel Contemporary Players are drawn mainly from the ranks of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra with the addition of other outstanding musicians from Israel and abroad.” The website has a list of musicians, their repertoire, and contact information. It also has the season concert series listings for Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
http://www.mitriya.com/icp/

Artists Bands & Performers

Budowitz

Budowitz is an ensemble that plays nineteenth century klezmer music on original instruments. The musicians in this group provide a sound steeped both in musicological and historical knowledge as well as the subtlety and coloration described by the reviewers as “pure emotion.” Budowitz is staffed by leading lights in the klezmer world including Joshua Horowitz and Merlin Shepherd. Of special note is an interview with Budowitz as well as a history of klezmer.
http://members.styria.com/budowitz/

Artists Bands & Performers

Hester Street Troupe

Klezmer and other Jewish music consisting of Alan Sweifach, clarinet ; Jay Sweifach, keyboards(synthesizer); and Jim Bazewicz, drums. They have 3 CDs: Generation to Generation, Sounds of the Shtetl, and their third CD is On Second Avenue, consisting of Yiddish Vaudeville and the Lower East Side songs. Contact: (908) 276-5245 or email:HSTroupe@aol.com

Artists Bands & Performers, Biographies

Fred Hersch

American Jazz pianist and composer, described by The New Yorker as “a poet of a pianist”. Hersch has been awarded several residencies at the MacDowell Colony, including in February, 2006, when his CD Fred Hersch in Amsterdam: Live at the Bimhuis (Palmetto Records) will also be released. He tours widely in the United States and Europe. Hersch has reached outstanding acclaim in the jazz world, such that a Jazziz magazine writer stated: “few jazz pianists have ever struck as beguiling a balance between technique, feeling, insight and imagination…Hersch s engagement with each of these songs is so complete that he evokes the sort of secret meanings words cannot. Besides critical claim, Hersch composes ‘classical’ music, and has won a 2003 Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship for composition, a Rockefeller Fellowship for a composition residency at the Bellagio Center in Italy and two Grammy® nominations for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance.…
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Artists Bands & Performers, Choral Music Groups and Organizations

Hazamir Choir of Helsinki –Judiska Sangforeningen rf

The purpose of the Hazamir Helsinki Choir is to maintain and promote the Jewish musical tradition. Hazamir is a mixed voice choir, and has been since 1917. Singers come both from Helsinki’s Jewish congregation along with members of other music groups. Today, the choir s repertoire consists mainly of Hebrew and Yiddish language songs. Additionally, the choir sings songs in Finnish, Swedish, and, more recently, in Russian. A large part of the choir s Yiddish language repertoire is arranged for this choir and, therefore, unique. The Choir s long-time director, Eva Jacob, has made a number of arrangements for the choir, and also brought the Russian-Jewish tradition of choral singing into their repertoire. The Choir appears regularly and is active in a range of festivals and music events.…
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