Lucky Break, a band of veteran bluegrass singers and instrumentalists who combine the stark beauty of Appalachian music with Shabbat Z’mirot (Sabbath songs). Now you can experience the blending of traditional American bluegrass music with Shabbat Z’mirot during your Jewish-themed events. Lucky Break is a roots-oriented bluegrass band that brings a traditional and expressive voice to the genre while providing a fresh approach to the songs of the Sabbath. Once you hear the rockabilly influence on “Shalom Aleichem” and the Celtic flavor of “Tzur Mishelo” you’ll never think of Shabbat Z’mirot the same way again.

Lucky Break will appear this weekend at:
Sat., Jan. 22, 2011
8:45 P.M.
Jewish Music Cafe
401 9th St.
Brooklyn, NY
and
Sun., Jan. 23, 2011
7:00 P.M.
Davar Institute
1500 Sussex Rd.
Teaneck, NJ

Jerry Wicentowski rebelled against his Orthodox upbringing, but only to a degree. He wouldn’t take the bus from his Brooklyn home to Washington Square Park to join his friends for bluegrass jam sessions but instead he stayed at home, incessantly practicing guitar runs in his bedroom to the great frustration of his father. Now in his fifties, Wicentowski has stopped rebelling. He does not play instruments on Shabbat. But he’s a highly respected bluegrass musician who’s found a way to combine his passion for the music with his religious faith. His greatest limitation, it appears, is that he is unavailable for most weekend gigs.

Reporter Jon Kalish profiles him in this week’s podcast.

http://www.tabletmag.com/podcasts/21468/blessed-bluegrass/