June 23, 2005
To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected]
VESSELS OF SONG FESTIVAL July 5-6 and July 8-10
at the
Cornelia Street Cafe 29 Cornelia Street Greenwich Village, NY 10014
Tel: 212-989-9319 Fax: 212-243-4207 Web: corneliastreetcafe.com
between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village 1,9 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, F to West 4th St.
“a culinary as well as a cultural landmark" Mayoral Proclamation, City of New York 1987
The last few years there's been a surge of interest in the traditional music of Eastern Europe. Cornelia St. Cafe is celebrating all the different ways in which Klezmer and Gypsy traditions have worked themselves into the contemporary NYC music scene. The week-long festival includes Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys, showing that the blend of Shtetl Klezmer and Down Home Bluegrass is smoother than you would imagine; Jeff Perelman with members of Romashka, Village Klezmer and Max & Minka, drawing upon their own travels throughout the former Soviet bloc to bring you infectious Eastern European Klezmer music, Gypsy (Rom) music, Balkan music and more; Jay Vilnai's Vampire Suit, exploring the interconnections of Balkan music, Middle-Eastern grooves and improvisation; and Susan Watts, the youngest generation of an exciting klezmer dynasty that reaches back to the Jewish Ukraine of the 19th century, bringing a rich repertoire of many original songs written for weddings, family members and joyous occasions.
All shows are $10, get a 3 shows discount card: $25
Tuesday July 5, 8:30PM
Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys
(Margot Leverett, clarinet; Marty Confurius, bass; Joe Selly, guitar; Kenny Kosek, fiddle)
Klezmer clarinetist Margot Leverett joins forces with today’s stars of klezmer and bluegrass to explore the shared musical spirit of two genres literally worlds apart. Appalachian and southern fiddle tunes by Bill Monroe meet klezmer melodies from pre-war Russia and Eastern Europe, some newly discovered, and the resulting medleys and improvisations are at once raw, funny, melancholic and footstomping. Their CD “Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys" was released to glowing reviews on Traditional Crossroads in September 2003 and has been used by the Paul Taylor Dance Company in their new piece “Klezmerbluegrass".
Margot Leverett, clarinet, is one of the foremost clarinetists in the klezmer revival. A founding member of the Klezmatics in 1986, Margot went on to start a solo career with her pioneering CD “The Art of Klezmer Clarinetâ” on Traditional Crossroads. Critically acclaimed for her work on both clarinet and alto saxophone, Margot has performed and taught klezmer music at festivals and workshops around the world.
Marty Confurius, bass, has appeared with virtually all the top people in both bluegrass and klezmer music. His credits include work with Vassar Clements, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Andy Statman, and klezmer legend Dave Tarras.
Joe Selly, guitar has appeared with Phoebe Snow, Vassar Clements, Barbara Eden, Melissa Manchester,Tex Logan and the Lombardo Orchestra. He is featured on countless recordings and is in demand as both performer and instructor in bluegrass, jazz and swing.
Kenny Kosek, fiddle has appeared with Jerry Garcia, John Denver, James Taylor, David Byrne, and his own Angelwood bluegrass band. He appears on numerous recordings, and has published dozens of instructional books. He is the bluegrass instructor for Homespun videos and is well known in Bluegrass, Irish, country western, rock and roll violin.
“Gorgeous, inspired playing" - Sing Out
“Klezmer and Bluegrass sound as if they were meant to be combined. Leverett & the Klezmer Mountain Boys have given us a wonderful gift." - Dirty Linen
www.KlezmerMountainBoys.com
Wednesday July 6, 8:30pm
Gypsy (Roma) & Jewish Music Jamboree featuring members of Romashka Village Klezmer Max & Minka
(Jeff Perlman, clarinet & saxophone; Jake Shulman-Ment, violin; Jeanette Lewicki, accordion; Ron Caswell, tuba; Timothy Quigley, drums & percussion; plus special guests)
These musicians have been bringing their infectious Eastern European grooves to weddings, cafes and dance clubs around NYC. Drawing upon their own travels throughout the former Soviet bloc, their performance will feature Klezmer music, Gypsy (Rom) music, Balkan music and an exploration of the common ground in between.
www.romanska.net
Friday July 8, 8:30pm
RIBS & BRISKET Revue (Paul Shapiro, saxophone, vocals; Babi Floyd, vocals; Cilla Owens, vocals; Tony Lewis, drums; Booker King, bass; Brian Mitchelll, piano)
Back in the 30’s and 40’s bluesy, comedic, swing musicians like Louie Jordan and Cab Calloway made some great music that still sounds fresh today. Yiddish was a pretty active street language in New York City at that time, and it was woven into the music. You had Slim Gaillard singing “Matzo Balls", Mildred Bailey recording “A Bee Gezindt", and Calloway’s hysterical yiddish/gibberish cantillation intro to “Ot Azoy" (That's the Way).
Paul Shapiro celebrates this interplay of 40’s hipster swing with some Yiddish thrown in at the Cornelia Street Café. Calling it the Ribs and Brisket Revue*, the saxophonist/composer features Babi Floyd, (of Keith Richard's Expensive Winos et al) and Cilla Owens (one of New York’s best kept secrets). They will be backed by musicians from Paul’s CD ”Midnight Minyan”, on Tzadik Records, which was released last year. *Paul was visited in a dream state by the ghost of Fats Waller who convinced him that R&B originally stood for Ribs & Brisket
Friday july 8, 10:30pm
VAMPIRE SUIT: (Jay Vilnai, guitar; Jeremy Powell, reeds; Skye Steel, violin; Mike Savino, bass; Kevin Garcia, percussion)
Vampire Suit draws on Jay Vilnai's unique musical heritage as a Russian-Romanian-Polish descendant raised in Jerusalem around a mix of contemporary and traditional Jewish and Arab music, with a soul for rock n'roll and a BFA in jazz. Couple that with a passion for Bartok and Stravinsky and you end up with all original music that draws on all those influences to create something akin to traditional music for a generation that has so many traditions it calls his. Balkan and Middle-Eastern rhythms are prominent, backed by 20th century composing concepts and jazz improvising.
‘The music has enduring beauty that touches on the heart of the Middle East's musical culture while exhibiting western flair. Open improvisations and the spirit of the belly dance coexist, encouraging the traditional undulated hip movements as a supplement to the solid instrumentation....’ -Frank Rubolino Cadence Magazine
The result is a highly personal musical texture that takes you from the tribal dances of North Africa to the marshes of the Balkans. A musical journey that is at once personal and global, music that is at the same time unmistakably modern, yet feels old and familiar, a new tradition for a generation that hails from so many traditions.
'Vilnai and his vampires get high marks for their utter unpredictability from track to track, their sheer joy they get from and give to the music and the various textures and sounds that emerge.' - Budd Kopman, All About Jazz
To help create that sound Vampire Suit draws on the talents of young New York musicians that have had experience in different musical settings and cultures. The musical vision is realized with the help of players that have played jazz, rock, Arab music, Balkan music, African music and more. With a deep understanding and respect to all this music they are able to tap into something new that arises from all of these influences.
'If Bram Stoker's imaginary Transylvania had a jazz scene, the music might sound something like this.' -Jazz Review
www.vilnaismusic.com
Saturday July 9, 9:00pm & 10:30pm
LUMINESCENT ORCHESTRII -music to make you dance, kiss and scream
(Sarah Alden, violin; Rima Fand, violin; Kaia Wong, violin; Sxip Shirey, resophonic guitar, melodica, bullhorn harmonica; Aaron Goldsmith, Guitarron)
An explosive mash of Romanian Gypsy melodies, punk frenzy, salty tangos, hard rocking klezmer, haunting Balkan harmony, hip-hop beats and Appalachian fiddle played on three violins, resophonic gitar, bullhorn harmonica and mariachi bass.
The members of the Orchestii come from different backgrounds and scenes in New York City but share a love of the music that people all over the world listen to while drinking, dancing and weeping. Sxip Shirey is an international circus composer, Sarah Alden is an old time Appalachian fiddle player, Rima Fand is an experimental theater composer, Kaia Wong plays MOOG in an electronic band and Aaron Goldsmith has played in goth, funk and old-world music ensembles.
“A punky five-piece string band, The Luminescent Orchestrii plays renditions of Appalachian and Gypsy tunes that run from lively and infectious to deeply melancholy. Its original compositions and varied interpretations of traditional melodies are like tiny, richly arranged musical adventures.” –Time Out NY (NYC, NY)
www.lumi.org
Sunday July 10, 8:30pm
SUSAN WATTS GROUP
(lineup to follow)
Trumpeter and vocalist Susan Watts represents the youngest generation of an exciting klezmer dynasty that reaches back to the Jewish Ukraine of the 19th century, beginning with her great grandfather, bandleader and composer, Joseph Hoffman.
A fourth generation musician, Susan is the sole living purveyor of a klezmer style trumpet and sound which electrified Jewish American audiences for decades. Her engaging voice and one of a kind vocal style will carry you through a full gamut of emotions, will inspire you and “send chills up your spine”. Audiences around the world are dazzled and delighted by Susan’s unique virtuosity.
Daughter of the great Klezmer drummer, Elaine Hoffman Watts and granddaughter of the renowned xylophonist and percussionist Jacob Hoffman, Susan is continuing her family’s legacy. Her repertoire is comprised of tunes that were handed down to her by her great grandfather, grandfather and mother. This rich repertoire includes many original songs written for weddings, family members and joyous occasions.
In addition to performing with a variety of noted Klezmer musicians from around the world, Susan has shared the stage with Dudu Fischer, Theodore Bikel, Claire Barry, Boban Markovic, DJ So-Called, Alicia Svigals, Margot Leverett, Henkus Netsky, among others. Susan is a member of Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All-Stars, Mikveh, and The Klez Dispensers. Recently, she scored and recorded the soundtrack for the award winning film, Breath and recorded the soundtrack for a documentary on Philadelphia klezmer, A Joyful Noise. Susan teaches at klezmer festivals, is an ambassador for women’s rights around the world and loves good coffee, fine vodka, singing and playing her trumpet.
www.susanwattsonline.com
To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected]
VESSELS OF SONG FESTIVAL July 5-6 and July 8-10
at the
Cornelia Street Cafe 29 Cornelia Street Greenwich Village, NY 10014
Tel: 212-989-9319 Fax: 212-243-4207 Web: corneliastreetcafe.com
between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village 1,9 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, F to West 4th St.
“a culinary as well as a cultural landmark" Mayoral Proclamation, City of New York 1987
The last few years there's been a surge of interest in the traditional music of Eastern Europe. Cornelia St. Cafe is celebrating all the different ways in which Klezmer and Gypsy traditions have worked themselves into the contemporary NYC music scene. The week-long festival includes Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys, showing that the blend of Shtetl Klezmer and Down Home Bluegrass is smoother than you would imagine; Jeff Perelman with members of Romashka, Village Klezmer and Max & Minka, drawing upon their own travels throughout the former Soviet bloc to bring you infectious Eastern European Klezmer music, Gypsy (Rom) music, Balkan music and more; Jay Vilnai's Vampire Suit, exploring the interconnections of Balkan music, Middle-Eastern grooves and improvisation; and Susan Watts, the youngest generation of an exciting klezmer dynasty that reaches back to the Jewish Ukraine of the 19th century, bringing a rich repertoire of many original songs written for weddings, family members and joyous occasions.
All shows are $10, get a 3 shows discount card: $25
Tuesday July 5, 8:30PM
Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys
(Margot Leverett, clarinet; Marty Confurius, bass; Joe Selly, guitar; Kenny Kosek, fiddle)
Klezmer clarinetist Margot Leverett joins forces with today’s stars of klezmer and bluegrass to explore the shared musical spirit of two genres literally worlds apart. Appalachian and southern fiddle tunes by Bill Monroe meet klezmer melodies from pre-war Russia and Eastern Europe, some newly discovered, and the resulting medleys and improvisations are at once raw, funny, melancholic and footstomping. Their CD “Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys" was released to glowing reviews on Traditional Crossroads in September 2003 and has been used by the Paul Taylor Dance Company in their new piece “Klezmerbluegrass".
Margot Leverett, clarinet, is one of the foremost clarinetists in the klezmer revival. A founding member of the Klezmatics in 1986, Margot went on to start a solo career with her pioneering CD “The Art of Klezmer Clarinetâ” on Traditional Crossroads. Critically acclaimed for her work on both clarinet and alto saxophone, Margot has performed and taught klezmer music at festivals and workshops around the world.
Marty Confurius, bass, has appeared with virtually all the top people in both bluegrass and klezmer music. His credits include work with Vassar Clements, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Andy Statman, and klezmer legend Dave Tarras.
Joe Selly, guitar has appeared with Phoebe Snow, Vassar Clements, Barbara Eden, Melissa Manchester,Tex Logan and the Lombardo Orchestra. He is featured on countless recordings and is in demand as both performer and instructor in bluegrass, jazz and swing.
Kenny Kosek, fiddle has appeared with Jerry Garcia, John Denver, James Taylor, David Byrne, and his own Angelwood bluegrass band. He appears on numerous recordings, and has published dozens of instructional books. He is the bluegrass instructor for Homespun videos and is well known in Bluegrass, Irish, country western, rock and roll violin.
“Gorgeous, inspired playing" - Sing Out
“Klezmer and Bluegrass sound as if they were meant to be combined. Leverett & the Klezmer Mountain Boys have given us a wonderful gift." - Dirty Linen
www.KlezmerMountainBoys.com
Wednesday July 6, 8:30pm
Gypsy (Roma) & Jewish Music Jamboree featuring members of Romashka Village Klezmer Max & Minka
(Jeff Perlman, clarinet & saxophone; Jake Shulman-Ment, violin; Jeanette Lewicki, accordion; Ron Caswell, tuba; Timothy Quigley, drums & percussion; plus special guests)
These musicians have been bringing their infectious Eastern European grooves to weddings, cafes and dance clubs around NYC. Drawing upon their own travels throughout the former Soviet bloc, their performance will feature Klezmer music, Gypsy (Rom) music, Balkan music and an exploration of the common ground in between.
www.romanska.net
Friday July 8, 8:30pm
RIBS & BRISKET Revue (Paul Shapiro, saxophone, vocals; Babi Floyd, vocals; Cilla Owens, vocals; Tony Lewis, drums; Booker King, bass; Brian Mitchelll, piano)
Back in the 30’s and 40’s bluesy, comedic, swing musicians like Louie Jordan and Cab Calloway made some great music that still sounds fresh today. Yiddish was a pretty active street language in New York City at that time, and it was woven into the music. You had Slim Gaillard singing “Matzo Balls", Mildred Bailey recording “A Bee Gezindt", and Calloway’s hysterical yiddish/gibberish cantillation intro to “Ot Azoy" (That's the Way).
Paul Shapiro celebrates this interplay of 40’s hipster swing with some Yiddish thrown in at the Cornelia Street Café. Calling it the Ribs and Brisket Revue*, the saxophonist/composer features Babi Floyd, (of Keith Richard's Expensive Winos et al) and Cilla Owens (one of New York’s best kept secrets). They will be backed by musicians from Paul’s CD ”Midnight Minyan”, on Tzadik Records, which was released last year. *Paul was visited in a dream state by the ghost of Fats Waller who convinced him that R&B originally stood for Ribs & Brisket
Friday july 8, 10:30pm
VAMPIRE SUIT: (Jay Vilnai, guitar; Jeremy Powell, reeds; Skye Steel, violin; Mike Savino, bass; Kevin Garcia, percussion)
Vampire Suit draws on Jay Vilnai's unique musical heritage as a Russian-Romanian-Polish descendant raised in Jerusalem around a mix of contemporary and traditional Jewish and Arab music, with a soul for rock n'roll and a BFA in jazz. Couple that with a passion for Bartok and Stravinsky and you end up with all original music that draws on all those influences to create something akin to traditional music for a generation that has so many traditions it calls his. Balkan and Middle-Eastern rhythms are prominent, backed by 20th century composing concepts and jazz improvising.
‘The music has enduring beauty that touches on the heart of the Middle East's musical culture while exhibiting western flair. Open improvisations and the spirit of the belly dance coexist, encouraging the traditional undulated hip movements as a supplement to the solid instrumentation....’ -Frank Rubolino Cadence Magazine
The result is a highly personal musical texture that takes you from the tribal dances of North Africa to the marshes of the Balkans. A musical journey that is at once personal and global, music that is at the same time unmistakably modern, yet feels old and familiar, a new tradition for a generation that hails from so many traditions.
'Vilnai and his vampires get high marks for their utter unpredictability from track to track, their sheer joy they get from and give to the music and the various textures and sounds that emerge.' - Budd Kopman, All About Jazz
To help create that sound Vampire Suit draws on the talents of young New York musicians that have had experience in different musical settings and cultures. The musical vision is realized with the help of players that have played jazz, rock, Arab music, Balkan music, African music and more. With a deep understanding and respect to all this music they are able to tap into something new that arises from all of these influences.
'If Bram Stoker's imaginary Transylvania had a jazz scene, the music might sound something like this.' -Jazz Review
www.vilnaismusic.com
Saturday July 9, 9:00pm & 10:30pm
LUMINESCENT ORCHESTRII -music to make you dance, kiss and scream
(Sarah Alden, violin; Rima Fand, violin; Kaia Wong, violin; Sxip Shirey, resophonic guitar, melodica, bullhorn harmonica; Aaron Goldsmith, Guitarron)
An explosive mash of Romanian Gypsy melodies, punk frenzy, salty tangos, hard rocking klezmer, haunting Balkan harmony, hip-hop beats and Appalachian fiddle played on three violins, resophonic gitar, bullhorn harmonica and mariachi bass.
The members of the Orchestii come from different backgrounds and scenes in New York City but share a love of the music that people all over the world listen to while drinking, dancing and weeping. Sxip Shirey is an international circus composer, Sarah Alden is an old time Appalachian fiddle player, Rima Fand is an experimental theater composer, Kaia Wong plays MOOG in an electronic band and Aaron Goldsmith has played in goth, funk and old-world music ensembles.
“A punky five-piece string band, The Luminescent Orchestrii plays renditions of Appalachian and Gypsy tunes that run from lively and infectious to deeply melancholy. Its original compositions and varied interpretations of traditional melodies are like tiny, richly arranged musical adventures.” –Time Out NY (NYC, NY)
www.lumi.org
Sunday July 10, 8:30pm
SUSAN WATTS GROUP
(lineup to follow)
Trumpeter and vocalist Susan Watts represents the youngest generation of an exciting klezmer dynasty that reaches back to the Jewish Ukraine of the 19th century, beginning with her great grandfather, bandleader and composer, Joseph Hoffman.
A fourth generation musician, Susan is the sole living purveyor of a klezmer style trumpet and sound which electrified Jewish American audiences for decades. Her engaging voice and one of a kind vocal style will carry you through a full gamut of emotions, will inspire you and “send chills up your spine”. Audiences around the world are dazzled and delighted by Susan’s unique virtuosity.
Daughter of the great Klezmer drummer, Elaine Hoffman Watts and granddaughter of the renowned xylophonist and percussionist Jacob Hoffman, Susan is continuing her family’s legacy. Her repertoire is comprised of tunes that were handed down to her by her great grandfather, grandfather and mother. This rich repertoire includes many original songs written for weddings, family members and joyous occasions.
In addition to performing with a variety of noted Klezmer musicians from around the world, Susan has shared the stage with Dudu Fischer, Theodore Bikel, Claire Barry, Boban Markovic, DJ So-Called, Alicia Svigals, Margot Leverett, Henkus Netsky, among others. Susan is a member of Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All-Stars, Mikveh, and The Klez Dispensers. Recently, she scored and recorded the soundtrack for the award winning film, Breath and recorded the soundtrack for a documentary on Philadelphia klezmer, A Joyful Noise. Susan teaches at klezmer festivals, is an ambassador for women’s rights around the world and loves good coffee, fine vodka, singing and playing her trumpet.
www.susanwattsonline.com
For more information contact All About Jazz.
