Aaron Lansky is the founder and President of the National Yiddish Book Center, an organization he created in the early 1980s to help salvage Yiddish language publications. When Lansky issued his first public appeal for Yiddish books most experts believed there to be fewer than 70,000 such volumes extant. Today the National Yiddish Book Center’s collection totals well over a million volumes, housed in a state of the art facility in Amherst, Massachusetts. The Book Center also sponsors public events, internships and a wide range of cultural and educational programs designed to illuminate the treasures of Yiddish culture for a new generation. Lansky’s work has been widely featured on National Public Radio and network television, and has been the subject of articles in Time, Smithsonian, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and countless other publications. Lansky’s “Outwitting History” (2004), an autobiographical account of his efforts saving Yiddish books, won the 2005 Massachusetts Book Award.
In 2010, Aaron Lansky appeared in
Hosted by Canadian filmmaker and media personality Ralph Benmergui, this panel discussion brings together artists of varying ages and diverse expertise in various realms of Sephardic and Mizrachi music. Exploring the linkages and differences between the traditions they each represent, musicians Flory Jagoda, Gerard Edery, Yair Dalal and Galeet Dardashti will debunk popular myths and discuss their experiences as performers of these musical styles, both within and beyond the Jewish musical world. The panelists will consider the burning question of whether Sephardic and Mizrachi music is endangered or in the midst of a renaissance.
Adrienne Cooper is internationally recognized as one of this generation’s stellar performers and teachers of Yiddish vocal music. From Carnegie Hall to the famed Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, from Moscow to Jerusalem, she has mesmerized audiences and worked at the heart of the klezmer revival scene, defining a wholly original interpretation of Yiddish song. On her latest CD, Cooper has teamed up with longtime accompanist Marilyn Lerner and a cast of New York’s finest next generation Jewish musicians, led by clarinetist Michael Winograd. The result: a daring and inventive combination of deep Yiddish soul with fearless innovation rooted in klezmer, jazz, pop and world music. Featuring Adrienne Cooper (vocals), Marilyn Lerner (piano), Mike Winograd (clarinet), Benjy Fox-Rosen (bass), Avi Fox-Rosen (guitar), Chris Berry (drums), and additional guests.
In 2010, Adrienne Cooper appeared in
Propelled by the music of all the festival musicians, Shadowland Theatre once again transforms Harbourfront Centre into a swirling spectacle of music, dance, colour, puppetry, stilt-walking and performance. This year’s edition explores the the diverse genius of Jewish musical innovation throughout history and in different parts of the world, through a fantastical, Creation-story narrative
In 2010, Ashkenaz Parade appeared in
Celebration - Monday, September 6th at 4:00pm on the Redpath Stage
Jewish people love a good story. For more than 2,000 years they traded folk tales, fables and jokes with people all over Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. These stories have survived and crossed cultures because they reflect who we are and what we could become, calling to the best within us and provoking thought and laughter in young and old alike. Join this acclaimed Toronto storyteller as he adds a little contemporary Jewish spice to folk tales, fables and jokes from both Ashkenazi and Sephardic folklore. Aubrey Davis's latest book, "Bagels from Benny," won the Canadian Jewish Book Award (children's literature) and the Sydney Taylor Award from the Association of Jewish Libraries. His forthcoming titles include: "Kishka for Koppel" (Orca, 2011) and "A Hen for Izzy Pippik" (Kids Can Press, 2012).
In 2010, Aubrey Davis appeared in
_thumb.jpg)
has joyfully taught and led Yiddish dance at festivals and events transcontinentally—in North America, Europe, and Russia. Avia grew up in the folk arts scene of British Columbia, and completed her BA Honours in Drama at the University of Alberta, and her MA in Devised Theatre at Dartington College of Arts in Devon, England. She is the Artistic Coordinator of KlezKanada's summer festival.
In 2010, Avia Moore appeared in
Combining the musical traditions of Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean rim with rock, reggae and urban music, Balkan Beat Box’s “combustible mix of big, bright horns and high-energy electronic beats” (NY Times) has earned them “buzz” band status across Europe, Israel and North America. Their relentlessly energetic and carnivalesque live shows are quickly becoming the stuff of legend, building wild anticipation for their Toronto debut at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival. Formed by saxophone player Ori Kaplan and drummer/programmer/producer Tamir Muskat (alumni of such notable NYC underground groups as Gogol Bordello, Firewater and Big Lazy) and the charismatic MC Tomer Yosef, the group also features Itamer Zeigler (bass), Peter Hess (saxophone, clarinet) and Jeremiah Lockwood (guitar).
“Guaranteed to propel any party into a hedonistic, sweaty mess, this cross-cultural crew of New York musicians cranks out Eastern Bloc-inspired techno grooves seemingly fueled by Manischewitz and a big dose of punk ‘tude.”
– Entertainment Weekly
In 2010, Balkan Beat Box appeared in
Concert - Sunday, September 5th at 9:30pm on the Sirius Stage
Conductor of the acclaimed Jewish People’s Philharmonic Chorus, musical director of “Di Shekhter-Tekhter,” and composer of songs for five off-Broadway shows, Binyumen Schaechter is the scion of an influential family of American Yiddishists. As the son of Mordkhe Schaechter z”l, widely considered the world’s leading Yiddish linguist of the last 50 years, and the nephew of acclaimed Yiddish poet/songwriter Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman, Binyumen has come by his Yiddish musical gifts honestly. Growing up in post-war New York, Binyumen’s parents insisted that their four kids speak only Yiddish with them, an effort that has rewarded them today with sixteen fluent Yiddish-speaking grandchildren. Come hear the inside story of this unique family from the perspective of a masterful musician, humourist and storyteller.
In 2010, Binyumen Schaechter appeared in
This talk looks at the interactions between Jewish Klezmorim and Romani (Gypsy) musicians in Europe, from a historical and anthropological viewpoint. While much has been romanticized about Jews and Roma, the reality reveals a complex cultural history of musicians from peripheral social groups making a living in a Europe where identity is defined by land ownership. The lecture will use history, linguistics, and ethnomusicological approaches to the history of Roma musicianship in East Europe, the relationship of Jews and Roma, as well as Bob Cohen’s personal anecdotes. Musical examples will illustrate the talk. Bob Cohen is a musician, journalist and ethnomusicologist based in Budapest, and leads the Jewish/Hungarian klezmer band Di Naye Kapelye
In 2010, Bob Cohen appeared in
Presented in Yiddish with intermittent English translation.
Can a newspaper influence readers? This year we celebrate the 150th birthday of Abraham Cahan—founder of the Yiddish publication “Forverts". Through decades of its existence the “Forverts” has maintained a consistent position regarding its relationship to the Socialist movement, Israel and Zionism, Yiddish and Yiddish literature. Today’s “Forverts” is a weekly secular Yiddish newspaper reflecting, first and foremost, the cultural aspects of a global Jewish life. Still, the question remains: who are Ab Cahan’s inheritors on today’s Jewish streets? Two short Yiddish videos with English subtitles will accompany the talk. Translation by Professor Kalman Weiser.
In 2010, Boris Sandler appeared in
“YidRhythmics” is inspired by Dalcroze Eurhythmics, a European movement-based approach to music education. Plunge into the joyous world of Jewish music via an invigorating combination of singing, movement explorations, improvisation, and wacky musical games! Workshop leader Brian Katz is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, pianist, composer, music educator and recording artist, and a certified Dalcroze Eurhythmics teacher.
In 2010, Brian Katz appeared in
Yidrythmics
- Monday, September 6th at 3:00pm in the Lakeside Terrace Tent
Two of Toronto’s leading jazz and Jewish music artists, Brian Katz (guitar) and Jonno Lightstone (flute/clarinet) combine their talents to explore some rarely performed klezmer repertoire. Bringing together a multitude of musical styles and a wealth of experience and virtuosity, they create a variety of moods; weaving the melodies of klezmer music with the sounds and textures of chamber music, modal jazz, Indian raga, and down home blues.
In 2010, Brian Katz and Jonno Lightstone appeared in
Deli Duos
- Friday, September 3rd at 2:00pm at Caplansky's Delicatessan
An eclectic variety evening featuring various festival artists performing solos, duos and trios, hosted by Ashkenaz Festival founder David Buchbinder.
In 2010, Cabaret: Echad, Tsvey,Tres appeared in
Concert - Sunday, September 5th at 11:00pm at the Lakeside Terrace
A lively showcase of local community groups and up-and-coming ensembles in the Toronto klezmer scene. The UTYO Klezmer Band, under the direction of musician-educator Brian Katz combines past and present klezmer students from the University of Toronto and York University klezmer courses. The band performs a variety of repertoire with an emphasis on contemporary interpretations of the klez canon. Featuring Rosano Coutinho (piano), Gabe Benchitrit (mandolin), Emma Heath-Engel (voice), Tessa Laengert (voice), D. Alex Meeks (drums), Joseph Landau (guitar), Neil Cass (violin), James McKie (violin), Michelle Dussard (piano, bass), Jacob Shoihet (trumpet), John Williams (clarinet), and Brian Katz (guitar, vocals). Klezkonnection is a vibrant community klezmer band led by clarinettist Jonno Lightstone. Bursting with freylekh energy, this group includes no less than three saxophones, clarinet, flute, trumpet, violin, cello, accordion and a three-piece rhythm section. These amateur musicians based at Beth Tzedik Synagogue bring their irrepressible zest and talent to old world klezmer repertoire. Featuring Ellen Rosenbluth (keyboard), Zatzman –(guitar), Terry Rosen (accordion), Jules Vaisberg, Ed Segalowitz (cello), Neil Cass (violin), Harold Blond (flute), Ruthie Fishman (clarinet), Harold Wolfe (trumpet), Al Farrell (soprano saxophone), Allan Rosenbluth (alto saxophone), Ed Noy (tenor saxophone), and Jonno Lightstone (clarinet).
In 2010, Community Klezmer Showcase appeared in
Concert - Sunday, September 5th at 1:00pm on the Redpath Stage
At the 2006 Ashkenaz Festival trumpeter, composer and Festival founder David Buchbinder unveiled his latest project: a collaboration with Cuban pianist/composer Hilario Durán that featured original music inspired by the common roots of Jewish and Afro-Cuban music in medieval Spain. Odessa/Havana went on to release a critically acclaimed, award-winning CD on the Tzadik label and to tour North America to sold-out houses, exciting audiences and critics alike. Now, with their first Toronto performance in a year, the ensemble returns with an all-new set of music that will form the basis of their sophomore Tzadik release this fall. This time out composers Buchbinder and Durán have made two significant changes, turning their attention to the influence of Sephardic music and bringing Ladino vocals into the mix. Maintaining the rhythmic drive, melodic sophistication and bravura virtuosity for which the ensemble has become known, Odessa/Havana will once again challenge and excite Ashkenaz audiences. Featuring David Buchbinder (trumpet), Hilario Duran (piano), Aleksandar Gajic (violin), Roberto Occhipinti (bass), Mark Kelso (drums), and guest vocalist Maryem Tollar.
In 2010, David Buchbinder's Odessa/Havana appeared in
Concert - Sunday, September 5th at 7:00pm in the Brigantine Room
In “Our Zeydas and Bubbas as Children and Teens,” the dynamic sister duo of Reyna and Temma Schaechter (The Schaechter Daughters) bridge the gap of time and place with a treasury of Yiddish song and musical vignettes depicting the childhood and teenage years of their grandparents in Eastern Europe and after emigration to America. Audiences young and old have been inspired by the charm and artistry of this native Yiddish-speaking team who have performed to great acclaim around the world, including Australia, Israel, Paris, Los Angeles and New York City. Di Shekhter-Tekhter are directed and accompanied on piano by their father, Binyumen Schaechter, son of the influential Yiddishist Mordkhe Schaechter z”l, and nephew of the acclaimed Yiddish poet/songwriter Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman. Representing a family lineage of great distinction, Di Shekhter-Tekhter are living proof of the continuing vitality of Yiddish and its survival amongst younger generations.
In 2010, Di Shekhter-Tekhter appeared in
Kids Show - Sunday, September 5th at 3:00pm on the Redpath Stage
Di Tsvey features the traditional pairing of the violin and tsimbl (Jewish hammered dulcimer) as rendered by two of the world's leading masters of klezmer music. The duo of Steven Greenman (violin) and Pete Rushefsky (tsimbl) perform traditional klezmer as well as new compositions that are rooted in the traditional forms of 19th and early 20th century Europe. With playful and delicate musical interaction the group’s combination of artistry and soulfulness has enthralled audiences across North America and Europe. For this special Ashkenaz presentation the duo will lead a “student” ensemble of local string players through a set of virtuosi showpieces, lively dance tunes, and soulful nigunim, learned over three days of intensive morning workshops. The group’s repertoire will be augmented with contributions from other Festival string players, including Stas Rayko, Igor Polesitsky and Bob Cohen.
In 2010, Di Tsvey appeared in
With his soulful voice and charismatic style, Efim Chorny is one of Eastern Europe’s leading practitioners of traditional and contemporary Yiddish song, and a major figure in the revival of Yiddish culture in the former Soviet Union. With his longtime accompanist Susanna Ghergus he has performed and taught his unique repertoire in dozens of countries. Back at Ashkenaz by popular demand, Chorny and Ghergus will perform in the festival’s opening concert (August 31) in tribute to the late Yiddish poet Avram Sutzkever, and will be joined by Moldovan Roma violin virtuoso Marin Bunea of The Other Europeans for their September 5 set at Harbourfront Centre.
In 2010, Efim Chorny and Susanna Ghergus appeared in
Concert - Sunday, September 5th at 4:00pm at the Lakeside Terrace
Elaine Hoffman Watts is a third-generation klezmer musician, scion of the great Philadelphia Hoffman family of klezmorim, and the 2007 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship Award. The first woman percussionist to be accepted at Curtis Institute, from which she graduated in 1954, Watts has performed and taught for more than forty years, working in symphonies, theaters, and schools. Despite her considerable skills and family heritage, in her youth Ms. Watts was seldom given opportunities to perform, as many klezmer bands in the 1940s (and beyond) didn't want to employ a woman, even the great Jacob Hoffman's daughter. Over a decade ago, Ms. Watts began performing klezmer actively again with her daughter Susan Watts (Klez Dispensers, Mikveh) and she has since become a mentor and inspiration to an entire generation of young klezmer percussionists. Featuring Elaine Hoffman Watts (drums), Susan Watts (trumpet, vox), Alex Kontorovich (clarinet), Mark Rubin (bass, tuba), Marilyn Lerner (piano), and Dan Blacksberg (trombone).
In 2010, Elaine Hoffman Watts appeared in
Concert - Saturday, September 4th at 8:00pm on the Sirius Stage
As members of the Sisters of Sheynville and The Lithuanian Empire, pianist Fern Lindzon and clarinettist Kinneret Sagee are well-known figures in Toronto’s Jewish music scene. Their duo performances draw on Klezmer and jazz, blending old and new with creativity and boisterous energy.
In 2010, Fern Lindzon and Kiki Neret appeared in
Deli Duos
- Wednesday, September 1st at 2:00pm at Caplansky's Delicatessan
Flory Jagoda was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia, where her mother’s family, the Altaras, were well-known singers and musicians for generations. Following the tragic obliteration of Sarajevo’s Sephardim in the Holocaust, Jagoda immigrated to the US, and for the last six decades has made it her personal mission to keep alive the rich Ladino musical tradition of Bosnia’s Jews, earning her the sobriquet "Keeper of the Flame.” Now in her eighties and residing in Washington, DC, Flory continues to perform and is known world-wide as one of the only authentic performers of Ladino music. Though in danger of extinction, Ladino music has recently experienced a minor revival, in no small part due to Flory Jagoda’s stewardship. In 2002, Flory was honoured with a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts for her contribution to preserving a traditional art form. Featuring Flory Jagoda (vocals, guitar), Susan Gaeta (vocals, guitar), and Howard Bass (guitar), with special guests Milos Popovic (accordion), Aleksandar Gajic (violin), and Eric Stein (mandolin).
In 2010, Flory Jagoda appeared in
Concert - Saturday, September 4th at 7:00pm at the Enwave Theatre
Iranian-descended singer Galeet Dardashti leads Divahn's edgy all-female power-house ensemble. The group has engendered an international following, performing in venues ranging from international concert halls to the most prestigious clubs in NYC. Infusing traditional and original Middle Eastern Jewish songs with sophisticated harmonies, entrancing improvisations, and funky arrangements, Divahn's thrilling live shows feature lush string arrangements, eclectic Indian, Middle Eastern, and Latin percussion, and vocals spanning Hebrew, Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), Persian, Arabic, and Aramaic. “Divahn,” a word common to Hebrew, Persian, and Arabic, means a collection of songs or poetry. Through their music, the group creatively underscores common ground between diverse Middle Eastern cultures and religions. Featuring Galeet Dardashti (lead vocals, percussion), Lila Sklar (violin, vocals), Sejal Kukadia (tabla, vocals), Eleanor Norton (cello, vocals), and Isabel Pupo-Walker (percussion, vocals).
In 2010, Galeet Dardashti and Divahn. appeared in
Divahn
- Sunday, September 5th at 8:00pm on the Sirius Stage
Vancouver singer-songwriter-accordion player Geoff Berner has garnered critical acclaim and a fast-growing cult following for his sharp songwriting and cabaret performance style. His latest album, “Klezmer Mongrels,” is a klezmer-punk-folk-dance album full of subversive satire and tongue-in-cheek songcraft. Having completed his "Whiskey Rabbi" CD trilogy, Berner is now exploring new directions doubling his trio to a sextet and enlisting Montreal Yiddish beat scientist Socalled to produce his next CD. Ashkenaz audiences will hear a preview of Berner’s new sound and repertoire. Featuring Diona Davies (violin), Wayne Adams (percussion), Brigitte Dajczer (violin), Michael Winograd (clarinet) and Benjy Fox-Rosen (bass).
In 2010, Geoff Berner appeared in
Moroccan-born, New York-based Gerard Edery is recognized as a leading musical folklorist and a master singer and guitarist. He has at his command a remarkable range of ethnic folk styles and traditions from around the world, singing in fifteen languages and speaking four fluently. With a repertoire including songs from Europe, the Middle East, South America and ancient Persia, Edery’s unique interpretive flair highlights how disparate cultures overlap, parallel each other and often borrow from one another. In "Everybody's Song" Edery introduces audiences to the shared musical heritage of Jews, Christians and Muslims during the Golden Age of Spain, highlighting for contemporary youth the hope and possibility of coexistence, tolerance, respect and peace among all peoples.
In 2010, Gerard Edery appeared in
Directed by Boris Sandler (New York)
30 minutes, Yiddish with English subtitles
“Glimpses of Yiddish Czernowitz” is a visual tale of the all but lost Jewish community of Czernowitz (Ukraine). Short but abundant in historic and contemporary imagery, this filmic essay expresses critical historical moments of Jewish life in Czernowitz and in the region of Bukovina, from the landmark 1908 Jewish language conference to the torment of the Transnistrian deportation and subsequent decline of Jewish life in the post War period. Featuring contemporary interviews alongside original archival images, the film presents Czernowitz through native personalities such as fabulist and pedagogue Eliezer Steinbarg, beloved actress Sidi Tal, drama critic Moyshe Loyev, writer Josef Burg, poet Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman, and linguist Professor Wolf Moskovich.
In 2010, Glimpses of Yiddish Czernowitz (2010) appeared in
Film - Sunday, September 5th at 9:00pm in the Studio Theatre
Directed by Radu Gabrea (Romania)
60 minutes, English, Yiddish, and Romanian with subtitles
“Goldfaden's Legacy” is a musical romp celebrating the songs, stars and stories of Yiddish Theatre. From the wine cellars of Romania to Tin Pan Alley and the Broadway stage, the film pays tribute to the music of Yiddish Theatre, its role in the Jewish-American experience and its amazing influence on American popular culture. Like the Yiddish Theatre it celebrates, the film is spirited, colorful, vibrant and fun! Our guide on this musical journey is Zalmen Mlotek, the Artistic Director of The Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre, the oldest venue for Yiddish theatre in the world, founded in 1915. Mlotek, a dynamic performer and world renowned expert on Yiddish folk and theatre music, and film director Gabrea weave segments of Mlotek's one-man show with archival photos, film clips, recordings and interviews.
In 2010, Goldfaden's Legacy (2004) appeared in
Film - Sunday, September 5th at 9:30pm in the Studio Theatre
Winner of the 1978 Nobel Prize for Literature, Isaac Bashevis Singer’s (1902-1991) prolific legacy of books and stories are a pillar in the canon of Yiddish and Jewish literature. Of his many books and stories, more than thirty have been
illustrated. The visual interpretations given to his work by various artists reveal a fascinating variety of approaches, matching the authors own varying themes and moods. This unique exhibit features over 80 paintings, drawings and photographs created by 17 different artists for Singer’s books and stories. Exhibited artists include Larry Rivers, Maurice Sendak, Raphael Soyer, Roman Vishniac, William Pene Du Bois, Ira Moskowitz, Eric Carle, Leonard Everrett Fisher,
Antonio Frasconi, Nonny Hogrogian, Yuri Shulevitz, Irene Lieblich and Margot Zemach.
With a unique sense of humanity, humor, and clarity, Singer’s early writing evoked the vanished world of Polish Jews prior to and during the First World War. Beginning with his 1961 short story collection “The Spinoza of Market Street” and continuing in his later works, the writer depicted a post-Holocaust world rife with chaos and paranoia. Based on his sharp observations and genuine love of pious, superstitious, earthy, heroic, and tragic figures, his works continue to live in our collective memories. Singer's fictional characters blur the lines between folk tales, legends and supernatural powers, and the harsh realities of fear, anxiety, and despair of surviving.
In 2010, Isaac Bashevis Singer and His Artists appeared in
Exhibition - Saturday, September 4th at 6:00pm at MBCS
Exhibition
- Sunday, September 5th at 1:00pm at MBCS
Exhibition
- Sunday, September 5th at 4:30pm at MBCS
Exhibition
- Monday, September 6th at 12:00pm at MBCS
Jaffa Road is an acclaimed Toronto-based world music group made up of some of Canada’s most exciting and virtuosic interpreters of inter-cultural music. The group has created a unique sonic landscape that draws easily and organically from the worlds of sacred and secular Jewish songs, Classical Arabic and Indian music, modern jazz, rock, pop, and dub. In doing so, the group creates a union between acoustic and electronic, ancient and modern. Individually and collectively the band members are well known and sought after players nationally and internationally. They have performed and recorded with many influential musicians in the Canadian and International pop, rock, jazz, and world music scenes. Their debut CD “Sun Place” (2009) received wide critical acclaim and a Juno nomination for World music album of the year. Jaffa Road is Aaron Lightstone (guitars, oud, saz, synthesizers), Aviva Chernick (vocals), Chris Gartner (bass), Jeff Wilson (drums) and Sundar Viswanathan (saxophone).
In 2010, Jaffa Road appeared in
Concert - Monday, September 6th at 2:00pm on the Sirius Stage
What is a Jewish jug band? Families and kids of all ages at the Ashkenaz Festival are about to find out. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert music-maker and whether you play the clarinet or the kazoo, Sruli and Lisa invite you to join the noisiest band Ashkenaz has ever seen—or heard! Washboards, spoons, jugs, bones, kazoos and melodicas will mix with traditional instruments of all kinds in an intergenerational cacophony of epic proportions. A limited number of non-traditional instruments will be made available to participants on a first-come basis, otherwise bring your own implement of sonic destruction (and maybe some ear plugs!). Children under 12 are welcome with a participating adult.
In 2010, Jewish Jug Band with Sruli and Lisa appeared in
Sruli and Lisa
- Sunday, September 5th at 2:00pm in the Lakeside Terrace Tent
Sruli and Lisa
- Monday, September 6th at 12:00pm in the Lakeside Terrace Tent
What started out as a mutual affinity for kitschy Jewish album covers soon became a quest for identity, history, and culture between the grooves of LPs. Over the past decade, Josh Kun and his collaborator Roger Bennett have embarked on a thrilling journey, scouring the world to collect thousands of vinyl LPs from attics, garage sales, thrift stores and dusty archives. Pieced together, these scratched, once-loved and now-forgotten audio gems tell a vibrant tale spanning the history of Jewish recorded music from the 1940s to the 1980s. Beginning with sacred songs and ending with the triumvirate of Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, and Barry Manilow, these LPs also capture forgotten moments in Jewish American pop history—well-dressed cantors singing Christmas tunes, Long Island suburbanites dancing the mambo, and Chassidic prog-rockers. Josh Kun will share projections and audio selections from the duo's rediscovered treasury of sound, spanning the good, the bad and the ugly. Kun is Associate Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California, and co-founder of Reboot Stereophonic, a non-profit record label dedicated to re-releasing lost classics from the Jewish past.
In 2010, Josh Kun appeared in
With its caffeinated mix of energetic, wild Balkan Gypsy songs and urban funk/rock/jazz grooves, musician Lubo Alexandrov's band Kaba Horo (raw dance), is a striking collusion between Bulgarian Gypsy and New World musicians. From contagious dance floor rhythms, tinged with earthy camaraderie, to emotional and plaintive evocations of Middle Eastern styles, Kaba Horo's versatile repertoire delves into a cauldron of hot, fast and complex sounds. Their passionate, go-for the-throat spirit and energy is a knock out experience. Featuring Lubo Alexandrov (guitar, vocals), Suleyman Ozatilan (vocals, dance, darbuka), Sergiu Popa (accordion), Erik Hove (saxophone), Morgan Moore (bass), and Martin Auguste (drums).
In 2010, Kaba Horo appeared in
Concert - Monday, September 6th at 5:00pm on the Sirius Stage
Various directors, 60 minutes
Founded in 2006, the David A. Stein Memorial Filmmaking Scholarship program has given emerging filmmakers an annual opportunity to creatively explore the KlezKanada Festival in Lantier, Quebec through the camera’s eye. Immersed in KlezKanada’s weeklong camp environment under the mentorship of veteran documentary filmmaker Garry Beitel, participating filmmakers have honed their documentary skills through workshops and filmmaking projects—using performances and interactions with KlezKanada participants as their source material. The first three years of the program have produced a wide array of interesting works, including filmic portrayals of such KlezKanada rituals as the “backwards march”, and loving portraits of Jewish music icons like Elaine Hoffman-Watts, Danny Rubinstein, Irving Fields and German Goldenshteyn.
In 2010, KlezKanada Film Scholarship Retrospective appeared in
Comprised of three principal players of Florence’s Orchestra del Maggio Musicale, a leading Italian symphony and opera orchestra, Klezmerata Fiorentina was formed in May of 2005 with the purpose of developing a concert version of traditional Ukrainian-Jewish instrumental music, the family heritage of the group’s founder, Igor Polesitsky. The resulting style could be described as improvised Klezmer chamber music, which imbues the unique instrumental language, dance rhythms and authentic melodies of the historical klezmorim with classical music's complexity of expression, elasticity of tempo and wide dynamic range. Featuring Igor Polesitsky (violin), Francesco Furlanich (accordion), and Riccardo Donati (bass).
In 2010, Klezmerata Fiorentina appeared in
Concert - Sunday, September 5th at 2:30pm in the Brigantine Room
Laura Kruger is the curator of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Museum, New York, and a specialist in contemporary fine art. She has been honoured with the American Jewish Distinguished Service Award for her work at HUC in bringing significant works of Jewish art to the greater community for the purpose of education and cultural enrichment. As creator of the exhibit “Isaac Bashevis Singer and His Artists” Laura will discuss the process through which she assembled this unique exhibition and reveal the fascinating stories of its unique treasures.
In 2010, Laura Kruger appeared in
A veteran of the Toronto Jewish music scene, Prague-born singer, composer and cantorial soloist Lenka Lichtenberg has toured internationally and released a number of highly heralded CDs. For her fourth and most adventurous solo CD project, Lichtenberg has enlisted the talents of a unique assemblage of musicians rooted in diverse musical traditions. From classical Indian, Egyptian, and Middle-Eastern music to North and South American styles, “Free (Fray)” is an adventurous melding of modern Yiddish poetry with global musical influences. Blurring boundaries between styles and traditions, “Free” carves a new space in contemporary world music for Yiddishkayt. The “Free” band features some of Toronto’s leading world and jazz musicians, including Ravi Naimpally (tabla, dumbek), Alan Hetherington (drums, percussion), George Koller (bass), Ernie Tollar (flutes, saxophones), John Gzowski (guitars, oud), and George Sawa (qanun).
In 2010, Lenka Lichtenberg appeared in
Concert - Saturday, September 4th at 6:00pm at the Lakeside Terrace
The 2010 Ashkenaz Festival has commissioned the creation of a new repertoire of Jewish harmonica quartet music featuring the entire harmonica family (bass, chord, chromatic and diatonic). At once delightfully campy and musically sophisticated, such quartets were popular in the 1940s and 50s, with groups such as the Harmonica Rascals, the Harmonica Gang, and the legendary Harmonicats appearing on radio and television variety shows and even scoring number one hits. Frequently including in their repertoire renditions of Yiddish classics and Jewish folk melodies, these groups also captivated post-war Jewish audiences. After slipping into obscurity in the later 20th century, harmonica quartets have recently experienced a modest revival, with young virtuoso players around the world rediscovering this unique ensemble as a vehicle for modern creation. Quebec-based harmonicists Jason Rosenblatt, Samuel Caron, Levy Bourbonnais and Pascal Veillette are each at the forefront of developing a new and unique voice for their unsung instrument. Drawing on their collective influences, which encompass Klezmer, Turkish, Bulgarian, Quebecois folk, jazz, blues, and rock music, this unique quartet's world premiere collaboration is sure to generate buzz throughout the Klezmer and harmonica music scenes.
In 2010, Les Bâtards du Bouche appeared in
Concert - Sunday, September 5th at 6:00pm at the Lakeside Terrace
In this brand new musical setting of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s classic children’s story, the spirit of good luck (Mazel) outwits the spirit of bad luck (Shlimazel) and helps a poor but honest peasant lad marry the king's daughter. David Wall narrates this colorful fun-filled adventure, featuring an onstage band playing original klezmer music with animations based on the illustrations from the original Isaac Bashevis Singer publication, created by artist Margot Zemach. Composer and percussionist Lorie Wolf is best-known in Jewish music circles for her work with the Sisters of Sheynville, The Lithuanian Empire and her last musical/literary production entitled "Taibele and Her Demon." She is joined at Ashkenaz by some of Toronto’s top Jewish music instrumentalists, including Martin van de Ven (clarinet), Milos Popovic (accordion) and Victor Bateman (bass).
In 2010, Lorie Wolf “Mazel and Schlimazel” appeared in
Kids Show - Sunday, September 5th at 5:30pm in the Studio Theatre
Meet the fourteen members of The Other Europeans, a unique intercultural ensemble of Jewish and Roma musicians hailing from seven different countries. Over the past three years this unique assemblage of world-class soloists has worked to explore and rekindle the historic musical symbiosis between Klezmer and Lautari musicians, along the way developing into one of the most exciting groups in contemporary world music circles. Joined by the entire ensemble, creator and musical director Alan Bern will present the project’s vision, objectives and historical context, revealing the challenges and successes encountered over the last three years of cross-cultural collaboration and performance. Featuring perspectives from each group member and video footage of research expeditions by members of the group to Israel and Bessarabia.
In 2010, Meet The Other Europeans appeared in
A multimedia concert program that brings together two musical traditions, East European Jewish and Ukrainian, which have existed side by side and interacted for centuries, mirroring the complex relationship between the two peoples that have nurtured them. Heirs to the legacy of innumerable folk bards and informed by the spirit of Bártok, Kodály, Stravinsky and other modernist national composers, Michael Alpert and Julian Kytasty continue to enrich their musical heritages with new compositions and arrangements that merge tradition and innovation. Collectively, the duo's work draws sustenance from the deep wellsprings of Ukrainian folk and liturgical song, the virtuosic art of the bandura (Ukrainian lute-harp), and three Jewish musical genres that reached their greatest European flowering on the soil of Ukraine: klezmer music, Yiddish folk song and the music of the Hasidic world. Along with the Jewish cantorial tradition, these preeminent art forms of the Yiddish world historically nourished each other while interacting closely with the diverse musical styles of non-Jewish neighbors. "Night Songs" continues this interaction in a contemporary setting through music, personal tale, commentary, and multimedia projection. Featuring Michael Alpert (vocals, violin, accordion) and Julian Kytasty (banduras, vocals, sopilka).
In 2010, Michael Alpert and Julian Kytasty appeared in
Award-winning author, Yiddish raconteur and Ashkenaz fave Michael Wex returns to the festival to launch his latest book. Michael Wex's brilliant and hilarious new novel is a family saga for the twenty-first century, a lovingly accurate portrait of middle-class Canadian life at the turn of the century and of Bathurst Manor, the Toronto neighbourhood that produced such famous Canadians as Howie Mandel and Wex himself. Imagine Thomas Mann's Buddenbrooks without the stodgy Germans or The Brothers Karamazov with only one brother. Finally, a novel that does for Jewish Toronto what Mordecai Richler's books did for Montreal.
In 2010, Michael Wex appeared in
Michael Winograd is one of the leading new generation clarinetists in the American klezmer scene. In addition to leading his own klezmer ensemble, Winograd has performed with Frank London and his Klezmer Brass All-stars, Kenny Wollesen, Socalled, Shtreiml, Ayelet Gottleib, Adrienne Cooper, and Michael Alpert, among many others. Winograd helped found the first regular Yiddish Tanzhoyz (dance house) in New York City, where traditional European Jewish dance is taught and explored by some of the finest musicians and dancers in the field. Winograd’s Ashkenaz dance band will include Dan Blacksberg (trombone) and Benjy Fox-Rosen (bass).
In 2010, Michael Winograd Dance Band appeared in
Dance Performance - Saturday, September 4th at 6:00pm on the Redpath Stage
A leader in the second generation of the klezmer revival, clarinetist and composer Michael Winograd is considered a modern master of the klezmer clarinet style and has also developed his unique voice in the area of free-jazz with his musical group Infection. He regularly performs with such artists as Socalled, Budowitz, Frank London, Daniel Kahn and the Painted Bird, the Klezmer Conservatory Band, Kenny Wollesen, Michael Alpert, Alicia Svigals, and the Xylopholks. . The Michael Winograd Trio is completed by bassist/vocalist Benjy Fox-Rosen and accordionist Patrick Farrell.
In 2010, Michael Winograd Trio appeared in
Anklewicz/Berkok Duo creates improvised music based on motifs and ideas from the Jewish Music world. Saxophonist and clarinetist Mike Anklewicz is best known as the leader of KlezFactor, a local klezmer-fusion ensemble that has garnered critical acclaim for its two CD releases. Pianist Ali Berkok is also a founding member of KlezFactor and currently leads Arkana Music, a group noted for its compositional complexity, risk taking and virtuosity.
In 2010, Mike Anklewicz and Ali Berkok appeared in
Deli Duos
- Thursday, September 2nd at 2:00pm at Caplansky's Delicatessan
Get ready for a whole new approach to Masada music! Expressive and soulful, Basya Schecter, Ayelet Rose Gottlieb, Malika Zarra and Sofia Rei Koutsovitis are amongst the most creative vocalists working in the Jewish music scene today. Each the leader of a dynamic band of her own, they come together here in an intimate a cappella setting to interpret eleven songs from John Zorn's remarkable “Book of Angels”. With lyrics in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, French and Arabic drawn from Rumi, Fernando Pessoa, the Hebrew Bible and more, the Masada vocal project is perhaps the most hauntingly beautiful installment in the entire Angels series. Don't miss this dynamic and evocative New Jewish Music from four powerful women vocalists.
In 2010, Mycale appeared in
Concert - Monday, September 6th at 3:00pm in the Brigantine Room
Directed by Slawomir Grunberg (Poland)
30 minutes, English with Polish subtitles
Mayer Kirshenblatt left his hometown of Opatow, Poland, in 1934 at the age of seventeen and emigrated to Toronto. In 1990, at the urging of his daughter and his wife, he took up painting and completed more than 300 paintings before his passing in late 2009. Kirshenblatt's vivid tableaux provide an insight into the shtetl world he left behind; a world that no longer exists. He painted what he remembered: the streets, the buildings and the people of his hometown. This film follows Kirshenblatt on a journey back to Opatow and shows off the vibrant colours and bold canvases he created. It also shows Kirshenblatt in his adopted hometown of Toronto and relates the story of his life over many decades.
In 2010, Paint What you Remember (2009) appeared in
Film - Sunday, September 5th at 7:00pm in the Studio Theatre
Help create the festival’s largest work of art! Assisted by Shadowland Theatre, kids can create their own costumes and props for the Ashkenaz Parade on Labour Day Monday.
In 2010, Parade Crafts with Shadowland appeared in
Kids Show - Sunday, September 5th at 12:00pm in the ZOOM! Kids Tent
Yiddish theatre actor, director and founder of Strasburg's Der LuftTeater, Rafael Goldwaser returns to Toronto with his newest one-man show. Based on a story by I.L. Peretz (the father of modern Yiddish literature), Goldwaser’s latest tour de force traces a melody by the legendary klezmer fiddler Pedotser as it evolves and reincarnates across time and space, eventually coming full circle to its original conception. Featuring unique projections of images on talitim, Goldwaser’s existential musings on the soul of a melody and those who possess it is full of beauty and universal meaning.
In 2010, Rafael Goldwaser appeared in
With its singular sound, San Francisco’s Red Hot Chachkas swings, shakes, and serenades. Comprised of multi-talented performers on violin, clarinet, mandolin, accordion, bass, and drums, the group plays traditional Eastern European dance tunes, ranging from frenzied freylekhs to tranquil tantsn, plus many original compositions, arrangements, and improvisations, building on its klezmer roots and fusing with a variety of traditional and contemporary musical styles. Featuring Julie Egger (violin), Michael Arrow (drums), Tony Philips (mandolin), Barbara Speed (clarinet, flute, saxophone), Breck Diebel (bass) and Aaron Seeman (accordion).
In 2010, Red Hot Chachkas appeared in
Concert - Sunday, September 5th at 3:30pm on the Sirius Stage
Two of Toronto’s veteran Klezmer and Jewish music performers, Sasha Luminsky and Martin Van de Ven have worked together for nearly twenty years in various contexts, as members of the Flying Bulgars, Chutzpah Ensemble, Beyond the Pale, and as a duo. With mutual backgrounds in classical music, each has extensively explored composition and performance of Jewish music in a chamber music context. Now, working with a string quartet commissioned for the Ashkenaz Festival, each will perform unique interpretations of contemporary Jewish chamber music as soloists, culminating in a combined performance. Featuring Martin van de Ven (clarinet), Sasha Luminsky (accordion), Aleksandar Gajic (violin, viola), Boris Mihaljcic (violin), Mateusz Swoboda (cello) and Andrew Downing (bass).
In 2010, Sasha Luminsky and Martin Van de Ven with String Quartet appeared in
Concert - Monday, September 6th at 5:00pm at the Lakeside Terrace
A smash hit in its first incarnation at the 2008 Ashkenaz Festival, the 2010 Sephardic Cabaret broadens its focus eastward to include not only Jewish traditions of the Mediterranean and North Africa but also the Mizrachi traditions of Israel, Iraq and Iran. Hosted by Moroccan-Jewish master musician Gerard Edery, this variety evening will feature a diverse cast of Sephardic and Mizrachi artists from Toronto and around the world, including Aaron Bensoussan, Yair Dalal, Judith Cohen, Batsheva, Aviva Chernick, Susan Gaeta, Galeet Dardashti, and others.
In 2010, Sephardic and Mizrachi Cabaret appeared in
Concert - Saturday, September 4th at 11:00pm at the Lakeside Terrace
What do you do at Ashkenaz after 11pm when the mainstage falls silent? As the noise and crush of the crowd falls away, revive your spirit with dancing under the stars to music so quiet you can hear the dancers' feet scrape the floor. With music provided by Di Tsvey, the duo of violinist Steven Greenman and tsimblist Pete Rushefsky, joined by bassist Benjy Fox-Rosen and additional festival musicians, tantzmeisters Avia Moore (Sept 4) and Steve Weintraub (Sept 5) will lead participants in group Yiddish dancing in its most elegant and graceful forms.
In 2010, Shtiller Tants appeared in
Dance Performance - Saturday, September 4th at 11:00pm on the Boardwalk
Slichot are Jewish penitential poems and prayers, especially those said in the period leading up to the High Holidays, and on Fast Days. This participatory/experiential event will explore the mysteries of the Slichot service through the fusion of music, chanting, liturgy, poetry, meditation and prayer. This Slichot experience uses the traditional service and liturgy as a jumping off point but blends cross-cultural influences in a particularly artistic manner, elevating the experience through unique musical fusion and active audience participation. Presented acoustically and “in the round” without a stage, Ashkenaz’s unique re-imagination of this honoured ritual will eliminate the distinction between the audience and the facilitators, making all present crucial participants. Ashkenaz’s first-ever Slichot program will unite Jews of all persuasions and also share with people of all faiths a unique and beautiful Jewish ritual. The service will be lead by the award-winning singer and prayer-leader Aviva Chernick, of the Juno-nominated group Jaffa Road. She will be joined by an ensemble made up of some of Canada's top world music performers, including Jaffa Road bandleader and music therapist Aaron Lightstone on guitar, oud and saz, Indian Tabla virtuoso Gurpreet "the tabla guy" Channa on tabla and percussion, multi-instrumentalist Josh Engel on guitar and mandolin; nay/bansuri/ saxophone virtuoso, Ernie Tollar, and Israeli oud and violin master Yair Dalal. This unique ensemble will create beautiful, engaging, and organic musical textures that bring together, and are firmly rooted in the musical/spiritual traditions of Ashkenazi and Sephardic Judasim, as well as India, the Arab world, and Sufism.
In 2010, Slichot appeared in
Celebration - Saturday, September 4th at 10:00pm in Miss Lou's Room
Directed by David Kaufman (Toronto)
120 minutes
Klezmer supergroup Brave Old World's haunting musical program of songs from the Lodz Ghetto is the framework on which producer/director David Kaufman has created his definitive new documentary about the Lodz Ghetto, once the second largest ghetto in Poland. Combining chilling narrative, evocative music, and unforgettable photographs, this is the first major film to feature extensive interviews with survivors of the Holocaust from Lodz. The film focuses on the lives of two historical figures: the beloved and popular street-singer, Yankele Herszkowicz, whose remarkable songs lifted the spirits of the Jews of the ghetto when their lives were full of despair, and whose own tragic life mirrored the fate of Polish Jewry, and the despotic, Nazi-appointed Jewish leader of the ghetto, Chaim Rumkowski. The documentary also explores in detail daily life in the Lodz Ghetto and the uplifting role that music and culture played for ghetto dwellers who faced the constant presence of terror and death. Director David Kaufman's history of the Lodz Ghetto is an extraordinary Holocaust narrative.
In 2010, Song of the Lodz Ghetto (2010) appeared in
Ashkenaz favourites, Sruli and Lisa return to the festival for the first time since 2006, introducing children of all ages to klezmer music and the world where it was born. From bubbes to babies, Sruli and Lisa will have audiences on their feet laughing, clapping, singing and dancing in a freylekh frenzy! Featuring Lisa Mayer and Sruli Dresdner.
In 2010, Sruli and Lisa “Klezmer For Kids” appeared in
Kids Show - Monday, September 6th at 2:00pm on the Redpath Stage
is one of the world’s leading exponents of Yiddish dance, having taught at Yiddish festivals and workshops across North America and Europe. He received his training with Alvin Ailey and Erick Hawkins, and danced for Felix Fibich. In addition to performing at Yiddish dance workshops, he leads dancing at simchas and has collaborated on “Hopkele,” a CD of music especially for dancing.
In 2010, Steve Weintraub appeared in
Combine five musicians with deep roots in the music of the vast Black Sea region, simmer for a few years, stir and serve. The result is The Black Sea Station, a delicious stew of musical traditions, with Klezmer at its core. Formerly known as the North End Klezmer Project, the group was created by Winnipeg’s Victor and Myron Schultz (violin and clarinet, respectively) and Daniel Koulack (mandolin, guitar, bass), original members of the seminal Canadian klezmer outfit Finjan. Joined by veteran musician, producer and klezmer fanatic Ben Mink (violin) and the extraordinary Moldovan accordionist Nikolai Prisacar, The Black Sea Station will release its first recording, “Transylvania Avenue”, on the Rounder Records label. The band performs a combination of original compositions influenced by traditional styles, and traditional songs set with contemporary arrangements. The result is an invigorating blend of old and new that respects the roots of the different traditions, while landing squarely in the 21st century.
In 2010, The Black Sea Station appeared in
Concert - Saturday, September 4th at 7:00pm in the Brigantine Room
Before wind and brass instruments began appearing in Klezmer ensembles of the late 19th and early 20th century, Klezmer music was performed almost exclusively by fidl kapelyes (string orchestras) that featured all members of the violin family, the tsimbl (hammered dulcimer) and percussion (poyk). Aiming to recreate the sound of these classic European Klezmer groups, the Fellowship of the Strings is a unique ensemble of professional and amateur musicians assembled especially for the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival. Under the direction of two of the world's leading masters of 19th century European klezmer music, violinist Steven Greenman and tsimblist Pete Rushefsky, the ensemble will perform a set of virtuosi showpieces, lively dance tunes, and soulful nigunim, learned over three days of intensive workshops. Building on the playful and delicate musical interaction characteristic of their work in the duo “Di Tsvey,” Greenman and Rushefsky will be joined by special guest instructors Stas Rayko (The Other Europeans), Igor Polesitsky (Klezmerata Fiorentina), and Bob Cohen (Di Naye Kapelye), who will contribute their own unique pieces and arrangements to the group’s repertoire.
Note: Workshops for participants in the Fellowship of the Strings will take place at Harbourfront Centre on Sept 4 from 4-6pm, and Sept 5 and 6 from 10am to 12pm. For registration information please see the “workshops” link under the “Festival” drop-down menu on the Ashkenaz Festival website.
In 2010, The Fellowship of the Strings appeared in
Concert - Monday, September 6th at 6:00pm on the Redpath Stage
Ten-year old Shira longs to play fiddle in her father’s klezmer group, and gets her chance when on the eve of a big Hanukah gig the group’s regular violinist falls ill. Joan Betty Stuchner and Richard Row’s touching children’s book comes to life in this multi-media presentation combining a live reading by Toronto author Anne Dublin, projections of illustrations from the book, live klezmer music from Sruli and Lisa and interactive dance components. For ages 3-12 (and big kids too!)
In 2010, The Kugel Valley Klezmer Band appeared in
Kids Show - Sunday, September 5th at 4:00pm in the Studio Theatre
The Other Europeans is an international gathering of fourteen leading Klezmer (Yiddish) and Lautari (Roma) musicians. Created and directed by Alan Bern, this new intercultural supergroup is creating powerful, deeply emotional and virtuosic music that restores a centuries-old cooperation between two groups who cohabited many of the same spaces in eastern Europe (particularly present-day Moldova) before being torn apart by war, Holocaust and immigration. Bringing together some of the most distinguished soloists from seven countries, The Other Europeans band is building new cultural relationships between two peoples who are often considered marginally European, but have played a major role in creating and transmitting European musical traditions. Many misconceptions have existed about Jewish and Roma cultures and their relationship. Now musicians from both worlds have come together to research and demystify their connected cultures and create a new heritage; an exciting contribution to a shared new European and Cosmopolitan identity. Featuring klezmer musicians Alan Bern (piano, accordion, musical direction), Dan Blacksberg (trombone), Paul Brody (trumpet), Matt Darriau (flute, saxophone, clarinet), Christian Dawid (clarinet, saxophone), Stanislav Rayko (violin), Mark Rubin (tuba, double bass), and Aaron Alexander (percussion), and lautar musicians Kalman Baloqh (cimbalom). Marin Bunea (violin), Csaba Novak (double bass), Peter Ralchev (accordion), Adrian Receanu (clarinet), and Adam Stinga (trumpet).
In 2010, The Other Europeans appeared in
Concert - Saturday, September 4th at 9:30pm on the Sirius Stage
Directed by Garry Beitel (Montreal)
90 minutes
Ashkenaz audiences are no doubt familiar with the brilliant boundary-breaking work of Montreal's Yiddish hip-hop madman Josh Dolgin—aka Socalled. He's graced Ashkenaz stages many times (most recently with the klezmer-funk supergroup Abraham Inc.), but now you can see him up close and more personal than ever before in this National Film Board-produced, feature documentary. Directed by Garry Beitel, the film offers a kaleidoscopic portrait composed of 18 entertaining cinematic vignettes capturing magical moments of musical creation, and globetrotting exploits from Montreal to Paris, Ukraine to New York. Featuring musicians Katie Moore, David Krakauer, Fred Wesley, Irving Fields, C-Rayz Walz, Matt Haimovitz, Arkady Gendler, Benjamin Steiger Levine, D-Shade, Gonzales and many others.
In 2010, The Socalled Movie appeared in
Film - Monday, September 6th at 6:30pm in the Studio Theatre
With its unique combination of rhythmic power and potent folklore The Sway Machinery takes no prisoners. Inspired by the rich tradition of Jewish cantorial music, band leader Jeremiah Lockwood of Balkan Beat Box fame infuses his new arrangements of traditional Yiddish, Aramaic and Hebrew songs with a healthy dose of new world inflections (blues, rock 'n' roll, afro pop) creating a frenzied yet sophisticated high octane sound. The band has featured an unusually accomplished line-up of New York musical luminaries, including drummer Brian Chase of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, bass saxophonist Colin Stetson of Arcade Fire and the Tom Waits' Band, and the trumpet and tenor sax horn section of the band Antibalas, Jordan McLean and Stuart Bogie. “Hidden Melodies Revealed”, the band's highly-anticipated debut full-length album was released on JDub Records. For Ashkenaz, The Sway Machinery features: Jeremiah Lockwood (guitar, vocals), John Altieri (sousaphone), John Bollinger (drums), Jordan McLean (trumpet) and Stuart Bogie (tenor saxophone).
In 2010, The Sway Machinery appeared in
Concert - Sunday, September 5th at 11:00pm in the Brigantine Room
Tio Chorinho is a new Toronto ensemble dedicated to performing Brazilian choro music in the tradition of the great Jewish mandolin master Jacob do Bandolim. A virtuosic instrumentalist and prolific composer, do Bandolim was a major figure in the development of what many consider the "the New Orleans jazz of Brazil." Put more simply, before there was bossa nova and samba, there was choro. This uniquely Brazilian form of high-energy improvisational music blends European, African and South American traditions, and in Jacob do Bandolim's case, bears a strong inflection of his Jewish musical upbringing learning Yiddish folk songs from his Polish-Jewish grandmother. Intrigued by the subtle but surprising similarities between choro and klezmer music, mandolinist Eric Stein (Beyond the Pale) launched this project in spring 2009, recruiting both Jewish and Brazilian musicians to explore do Bandolim's seminal recordings and bring choro music to Toronto for the first time. Eric is joined in Tio Chorinho by Avital Zemer (7-string guitar), Joel Schwartz (mandolin), Maninho Costa (pandeiro), and Milos Popovic (accordion).
In 2010, Tio Chorinho appeared in
Concert - Monday, September 6th at 2:30pm at the Lakeside Terrace
Founded in 1925, the Toronto Jewish Folk Choir is the oldest continuing Jewish performing group in Canada. The Choir was formed on D'Arcy Street by workers from the needle-trades district. It specializes in perpetuating the heritage of Yiddish folk and working-class music. Its conductor is Alexander Veprinsky, and the piano accompanist is Lina Zemelman. For Ashkenaz 2010 the choir will perform a Suite by Srul Irving Glik with musical settings of work by five Canadian Yiddish poets, including Peretz Miransky and Rokhl Korn.
In 2010, Toronto Jewish Folk Choir appeared in
Concert - Monday, September 6th at 12:30pm in the Brigantine Room
Former Artistic Director of the Ashkenaz Festival, Mitch Smolkin, produces this dynamic tribute to Avrom Sutzkever, the most celebrated and cherished Yiddish poet of the 20th century, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 96. The evening will present Sutzkever's work through song, poetry, film, and music in a multifaceted exploration of the artist's prolific literary contribution. Sutzkever came of age as a poet in 1930s Vilna, as a member of Yung Vilne (“Young Vilna”), an avant-garde group of Yiddish writers and artists whose work was cut short by the holocaust. The group included such literary luminaries as Shmerke Kaczerginski and Chaim Grade. The evening will interweave musical compositions based on Sutzkever's poems, his most important writings (such as “Sibir”, his collaboration with Chagall), reflections about his life and work as a poet, and archival recordings of his readings (including “Vos Vet Blaybn” in Rabin Square). Sutkever's penchant to describe the natural world in his work, as well as his vivid and poignant accounts of the holocaust will be highlighted. The performance will use the landscape of Sutzkever's writings to delve deeper into the poet's life and times, and to celebrate and explore his artistic and cultural legacy. Featuring vocalists Mitch Smolkin, Theresa Tova, and Efim Chorny and actor Eileen Thalenberg with Susanna Ghergus (piano), Sasha Luminsky (accordion), Aleksandar Gajic (violin), Martin Van De Ven (clarinet), and Andrew Downing (bass).
In 2010, Tribute to Avram Sutzkever appeared in
Concert - Tuesday, August 31st at 7:30pm in the Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue
One of Israel’s leading musicians, oud and violin virtuoso Yair Dalal is highly-acclaimed in World Music circles. Dalal’s unique artistry reflects his extensive musical skills in both classical and Arabic music, as well as his strong affinity for the desert and its inhabitants. Dalal’s family came to Israel from Baghdad and his Iraqi roots are embedded in his musical work. Dalal creates new Middle Eastern music by interweaving the traditions of Iraqi and Jewish Arabic music with a range of influences originating from such diverse cultural milieus as the Balkans and India. Dalal also devotes his efforts to preserving endangered musical heritages such as Babylonian music and the music of the Bedouin (the Sinai desert nomads). In addition to his musical work, Dalal is a committed peace activist, working to remove ideological barriers between different cultures and, in particular between Jews and Arabs. Yair Dalal will perform as a special guest artist with a number of ensembles during the Ashkenaz Festival, including Gerard Edery’s Caravan Ensemble and Divahn, and will appear in the Slichot service and the Sephardic and Mizrachi Cabaret.
In 2010, Yair Dalal appeared in
Slichot
- Saturday, September 4th at 10:00pm in Miss Lou's Room
Divahn
- Sunday, September 5th at 8:00pm on the Sirius Stage
What happens when traditional Yiddish song is married with 80s power pop and hard rock? Ashkenaz audiences will discover the answer with the Canadian debut of NYC’s strangest and most exciting new Jewish music act, Yiddish Princess. Combining the soaring vocals of Sarah Gordon with the irreverent arrangements of klez-clarinet-killer turned synth-mad-man Michael Winograd, Yiddish Princess is completed by a double guitar onslaught and arena rock drum/bass rhythm section. This bizarre yet compelling re-imagination of Yiddish music rocks out without leaving the shlock out. Featuring Sarah Gordon (vocals), Mike Winograd (keyboard), Avi Fox-Rosen (guitar), Chris Berry (drums), Ari Fulman-Cohen (bass) and Yoshie Fruchter (guitar).
In 2010, Yiddish Princess appeared in
Concert - Saturday, September 4th at 11:00pm in the Brigantine Room
Progressive Jewish fusion ensemble Zebrina is one of the freshest additions to Toronto’s Jewish music scene. Combining eastern melodies with western grooves, the group draws on reggae, latin and jazz in interpreting the original compositions of bandleader Jon Feldman. The ensemble features some of Toronto’s leading jazz and world music players, including keyboardist Jonathan Feldman, guitarist Joel Schwartz (The Outlanders), bassist Bret Higgins (Beyond the Pale), drummer Colin Kingsmore (Elizabeth Shepherd Trio), and percussionist Max Senitt (The Flying Bulgars). They will be joined by special guest Alex Kontorovich (clarinet/saxophone).
In 2010, Zebrina appeared in
Concert - Sunday, September 5th at 5:00pm on the Sirius Stage
