Imagine a fusion of Latin, Middle-Eastern and Arabic-Flamenco music with some hip-hop and reggae thrown in for good measure. Then imagine a melismatic voice that swoops and soars with seemingly effortless ease, delivering lyrics that tell of love, life and loss in Spanish, English and French. Imagine this being performed by a [green]-eyed Mexican-born beauty of Middle-Eastern Jewish Heritage, this is Nuriya and her story is rooted three generations ago, in her family of Middle-Eastern Jews who fled their countries, Iraq and Syria, between the 1920’s and 1940’s, due to religious persecution. All were bound for the U.S. However, the majority were re-routed and sent to Mexico, as U.S. immigration quotas were filled. Some managed to land in New York, where they remain, and others moved to L.A. nuriyamusic
MOSHAV
Raised in Israel in Moshav Mevo Modiin, a musical village in the hills between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the founding members of the Moshav Band, Yehuda (vocals and percussion) and Duvid (vocals and guitar), have learned and played music together since childhood. Early in the group’s career, American students traveling in Israel heard Moshav play and befriended the members of the band. Taken not only with the beauty of the group’s music, but also with the band members’ charismatic stage presence, the students went home and raised the money to bring Moshav to America for college tours in the late ’90s.By 2000, Moshav had relocated to Los Angeles. Continuously touring across the United States and the world, including festivals in Australia, Canada, and Europe, the band built a large following. After releasing and selling close to 50,000 of its self-produced albums, the band eventually caught the eye of producer Ron Aniello (Lifehouse, Guster, Barenaked Ladies). Together they released the album Misplaced in 2006 to highly favorable reviews. In 2010, Moshav teamed up again with Ron Aniello and Clif Norrell (R.E.M., Jeff Buckley, Sting) to create the group’s latest album, Dancing in a Dangerous World. http://www.moshavband.com/
Miki Gavrielov is one of the most loved, cherished, and popular singers in Israel. He was born in Israel, Tel Aviv, in 1949. Miki is one of the founders of Israeli music, and he continues to play a major role in the development of the cultural and musical life of Israel. He began his career primarily as a songwriter, but through the years has enlarged his role to include performing as well. Miki’s achievements have been matched by steadily increasing public recognition. His songs are sung by other top Israeli singers, as well as by himself, but most of all by the people of Israel.
Miki Gavrielov’s songs are sung throughout the world, from the Philippines to Sweden to the USA. he was honored by the Israeli organization of writers and composers “Acum” with the Composer award in 1991 and with the Lifetime Achievement in Music award in 2007 He has composed over 800 songs, and has released 15 solo albums and collaborated with other singers on another 18 albums.
American-Israeli world music maestro Diwon is one of the most innovative and versatile Producers and DJs performing and recording music today. Diwon’s beats are strongly influenced by the musical traditions of his mother’s family, whose roots lie in Yemen. He blends Yemenite & Israeli music with electro hip-hop and cinematic psychadelia, and draws inspiration from the Middle Eastern musical canon. A prolific producer, Diwon releases a clutch of albums every year. The last twelve months has seen The Sabra Sessions, The Beat Guide to Yiddish, the quirky Rarities & Remixes and the hour-long meditation Shir Ha Shirim (The Song of Songs), mixing heartfelt Moroccan song with hypnotic hip-hop, rock, and Middle Eastern beats. Diwon is currently completing work on the revolutionary hip hop record This is Unity with acclaimed multilingual MC Y-Love, as well as working on his own records, Diwon Riddim and Others, which will feature vocalists and rappers from across the globe, including the top selling Jamaican dancehall sensation, Sizzla. URB magazine listed him amongst their NEXT 1000 and wrote that “Diwon is something else…in a profound kind of way”, calling his sound titillating and ‘juicy for the ears’, while The Village Voice described his producing as ‘adventurous and banging’. CBS featured Diwon as part of their Faith, Music and Culture series and he has made appearances on NPR, PBS, and BBC World. .
Blending a psychedelic sensibility and a pan-Mediterranean sensuality, Basya Schechter leads her band, Pharaoh’s Daughter, through swirling Hasidic chants, Mizrachi and Sephardi folk-rock, and spiritual stylings filtered through percussion, flute, strings and electronica. Basya’s sound has been cultivated by her Hasidic music background and a series of trips to the Middle East, Africa, Israel, Egypt, Central Africa, Turkey, Kurdistan and Greece. She began retuning her guitar to sound like a cross between an Arabic oud and a Turkish saz, with harmonic minor melodies, and odd time signatures. With the many amazing musicians, named below and others as well she has recorded three albums as Pharaoh’s Daughter. Pharaohs’ Daughter has toured extensively through America, Eastern and Western Europe, as well as Greece and the UK. Pharaoh’s Daughter had the honor of debuting at Central Park’s Summer Stage series in August 2004, and has played such presigious stages as Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. When she’s not touring or performing, Basya plays darbuka, riq and frame drum as part of the B’nai Jeshurun music ensemble that accompanies Friday night services. www.pharaohsdaughter.com
Yair Dalal, born in 1955; composer, violinist, oud player and singer; is probably the most prolific Israeli ethnic musician and plays an important role in shaping the global world music scene. Over the last decade he has put 11 albums, covering wide and varied cultural territory, and authentically representing Israel’s cultures and fusing them through music as whole. Much of Dalal’s work reflects his extensive musical skills in both classical and Arabic music and also reflects a strong affinity he has for the desert and its habitants. Dalal’s family came to Israel from Baghdad and his Iraqi roots are embedded in his musical work. Apart from creating music, Dalal devotes his time to preserving musical heritages from becoming extinct – the Babylonian musical heritage and the music of the Beduim (the Sinai desert nomads). www.yairdalal.com
Electro Morocco, a New York-based band of Israeli expatriates, including Assaf Spector and Roy Gurel, together with Yula Beeri, Ilil Paz-el and Brian Wolf mix everything from retro-rock and Middle Eastern folk, to warped electro, in a fierce, high energy performance. Their music draws from different parts of the world, but share an aesthetic, both technical and emotional, with artists such as M.I.A. Both include Eastern belly-shaking samples—Indian in M.I.A.’s work, and Middle Eastern in Electro Morocco’s. But Electro Morocco seamlessly have established their own fresh sound, layered with organic guitars and synthetic beats, that is clearly their own. The off-beat rhythm, the interplay of tweaked, Oriental-sounding guitars, and the frenzied climaxes call to mind bellydancing music and hard rock. Their performances combine live music with synced video clips that creates an unforgettable visual and musical experience. “Ever since electronic music took over, poor old guitars have been short of work. Electro Morocco is dusting off those axes and yanking them out of the unemployment line and giving them enough amplitude to compete with their buzzing synths. … So it looks like you’ll just have to peep these kids on a dance floor near you.” -URB Magazine www.myspace.com/electromorocco
Michal Cohen’s family comes from Yemen, but she was born and raised in Israel. Michal arrived in the United States after receiving a scholarship at Berklee College of Music in Boston. She graduated in 2000, and has sung in many prestigious venues, including Kats Theatre with the Pittsburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Merkin Hall, The Museum for American Jewish History in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Symphony Space, Scullers Jazz Club, Joe’s Pub, Satalla, Pianos, and the Knitting Factory. Her recordings include collaborations with artists such as DJ Cheb I Sabbah, Guillermo Nojechowicz, Frank London, Avi Elbaz, and many more. Her vocals have appeared on two movies: “Historias Minimas”, by Carlos Sorin, and Pearl Gluck’s “Divan” (Tribeca Film Festival). She has toured widely, including the Avivir Festival, Festival Del Desierto, San Luis Potosi in Mexico, Ottawa Folk Festival in Canada, Tamaulipas World Music Festival in Mexico, as well as the Far East. Her range extends from ancient Yemenite songs through to contemporary. Besides English, Yemenite, and Hebrew, Michal has sung in Bulgarian, Spanish, French, Yiddish and Portuguese. She is the recipient of a “Finalist” from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest in 2002, as well as The Vocal-Jazz Cleo Laine Award. Her reputation is building as one of the most eclectic and exciting vocalists on the East Coast.
www.michalcohen.com
That Saadi’s musical history reads like something out of a V.S. Naipaul novel is incidental. As the (entirely true) legend goes, Boshra al Saadi was born in Syria, sojourned in suburban Pennsylvania for a spin in Catholic school, ventured to NYC’s Greenwich Village in her late teens with folksinger dreams, and cut her teeth as a co-frontwoman for a LES indie rock band. Coming full circle, SAADI has returned to her Syrian roots mixing Dabke music with Jamacian Dancehall and Afro-Tinged Electro to make a new World Pop sound all her own. www.myspace.com/saadinyc
Matisyahu
Few artists make an impact as complete as the one Matisyahu made with his Top 40 hit “King Without a Crown”: Here was a true original, the song announced—a Hasidic Jewish musician from New York City singing reggae songs about his religious devotion. Fans responded to this one-of-a-kind voice, driving Youth, Matisyahu’s Grammy-nominated 2006 studio disc, to the top spot on Billboard’s reggae albums chart. That album, as well as Matisahu’s previous recording “Live at Stubb’s,” went Gold. His new album, “Light,” which debuted in the top 20 on the Billboard charts, is out now on Epic Records. Produced by David Kahne (Paul McCartney, Regina Spektor, Sublime), Matis recorded the album in Brooklyn, NY and Jamaica and got an assist from several guests Stephen McGregor, Sly & Robbie, members of Fyre Dept. and Fishbone, and others. The result is a bold new direction for an artist who has transcended cultures and genres.
* check out "two child one drop" on his Shattered EP to hear one of the best Yemenite style hip hop tracks we have ever heard! www.matisyahuworld.com
DeLeon plays 15th Century Spanish indie rock infused with the deeply mysterious and entrancing cadences of the ancient Sephardic tradition.
DeLeon’s intricate sound has been a long time in the making. Their music, birthed in Spain before the Inquisition and raised in pre-WWII Italy, has finally reached maturity in modern-day Brooklyn. The band, named for 12th Century Kabalistic philosopher Moses Deleon and front man Daniel Saks’ great-grandfather Giorgio Deleon, was conceived to reconcile Saks’ cultural journey with modern influences. By re-imagining these ancient melodies as contemporary pieces, DeLeon has given the world at large a unique chance to experience the rich musical history of Sephardic Judaism.
DeLeon’s groundbreaking sound is as rare as the process that created it. Saks, along with band mates Kevin Snider, Justin Riddle, Amy Crawford and Andrew Oom, pioneered this form, one that marries ancient Sephardic melodies sung in Ladino, Hebrew and English with the chaotic symphony of urban living. www.ilovedeleon.com
Hadag Nachash
Hadag Nahash is Israel’s leading Hip Hop band and has been topping the Israeli music charts since September 2000. Their recent release, “BeEzrat HaJam” (With the Help of the Jam) has produced three # 1 hits and has achieved Platinum status in Israel. The band plays a unique style of music that blends Hip Hop, Funk, Jazz, Electro and Rock with a touch of Middle Eastern flavor. This great musical fusion has garnered Hadag Nahash a large fan-base in Israel and abroad. The band has been touring extensively around the world.
Hadag Nahash was formed in Jerusalem in 1996. After touring Israel for more then four years and generating a large following, they released their first album, “Hamechona Shel HaGroove” (the Groove Machine) in September 2000. The album was very successful and proved that excellent music can go along with important ideas. In 2003 the band released their second album, “Lazuz” (To Move), produced by internationally acclaimed musician Yossi Fine. The album had four # 1 hits and achieved gold status.
Soulfarm
Soulfarm was founded in Israel by lead guitarist C Lanzbom and guitarist and lead singer Noah Solomon Chase. Their sound has been dubbed as New American music, full melodic song writing and progressive modern arrangements.Their live shows are full of Mediterranean flavor with captivating guitar leads, dance rhythms and strong percussion breaks. Soulfarm has a wide range of influences from rock and Latin, to Hebrew and Celtic folk music. Soulfarm has recorded with many well-known musicians such as Perry Farrel and Dispatch; and has opened for Bruce Hornsby, Shawn Colvin, The Wailers George Clinton, to name a few. www.soulfarm.net
Asefa
Asefa was founded in 2001 by bandleader and composer Samuel Thomas. From the Hebrew word for "collecting," Asefa brings together diverse worlds. Traversing a wide musical landscape, Asefa travels from Morocco to Persia, Poland to America and back. Thomas’ arrangements and original compositions, imbued with contemporary concepts in improvisation and instrumentation, reflect the spirit of music making integral to World history.
Blending a reverence for North African traditions with a love for innovative composition and improvisation, Asefa creates a fresh sound that moves your mind, body and spirit. Bandleader, woodwindist and frame drummer Samuel Thomas is joined by Shanir Blumenkrantz on oud, Eric Platz on drumset and Rich Stein on percussion. www.asefamusic.com
Pshutei Ha’am
(ex Shotei Hanevua)
In Hebrew, Pshutei Ha’am – Gilad Vital and Roi Levi are two of the founding members of the Israeli supergroup, Shotei HaNevuah. With Pshutei Ha’am or "Simple People", they are bringing you their combination of Gilad’s vocal and studio/mix wizardry and Roi’s guitar and vocal charisma. Simple People can perform for a dance club audience or as a full six-piece band which includes some of the finest Israeli musicians. It’s music for your head AND for your feet! Enjoy! Love Life! www.myspace.com/simplepeopleband
Layali El Andalus
While traditional Andalusian music is hardly associated with The Museum of Modern Art, our visitors were treated to the unexpected in a beautiful, impassioned performance by Rachid Halihal and Layali El Andalus who appeared at MoMA as part of a special music series in conjunction with the exhibition, Dalí: Painting and Film. This summer event, set outdoors among the artworks, trees, and reflecting pools in The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, took on an air of pure magic. All 300 plus seats were filled with mesmerized listeners while many others stood in rapt or danced with joy. It was a unique and unforgettable evening. www.layalielandalus.com
Dr. Israel
In the mid 90’s in the north industrial region of Brooklyn Dr. Israel came to be. Among the legendary dub label Wordsound, the growth of the NYC “illbient” scene, and in close proximity to Bill Laswell’s “Greenpoint Studio” doc began to construct his signature sound. Freshly back form a spiritual Pilgrimage in Jamaica Doc created a unique blend of music. Taking from roots reggae, dub, jungle, punk, and hardcore, doc began fusing musical styles with conscious lyrics, laying the groundwork for his own special blend of revolution. This incredible artist will be doing a special performance at Culture Mash, Shemspeed’s closing party (Dec 8th @ Knitting Factory) for the 6th Annual Sephardic Music Festival! http://revolutionsound.net
Gerard Edary
"Edery and his band are among the best interpreters of Sephardic Music in the business." -The New York Jewish Week
Born in Morocco, raised in Paris, and now based in New York City, master Sephardic Singer/Guitarist/Composer Gerard Edery draws from his wordly background to create music that spans genres, cultures, and eras.
Gerard leads several different bands and projects through which he explores the depths of ancient Sephardic music and blends it with modern World Music. www.myspace.com/sefaradrecords
Hebrew Mamita
Sephardic Actress/Poet/Playwright/Native New Yorker Vanessa Hidary grew up on Manhattan’s culturally diverse Upper West Side, graduating from LaGuardia High School of the Arts and Hunter College. Her experiences as a Sephardic Jew with close friends from different ethnic and religious backgrounds inspired her to write "Culture Bandit," a solo show that chronicles Vanessa’s coming of age during the golden age of Hip-Hop and her dedication to fostering understanding and friendship between all people.
www.hebrewmamita.com
Smadar
An exciting new voice emerging from the NYC world music scene, Smadar is an Israeli-Moroccan singer whose craft is best described as pan-Mediterranean music peppered with a gypsy sound. Smadar sings original and creative renditions of traditional tunes in Hebrew, Arabic, and Ladino. The Epoch Times International recently dubbed Smadar"a euphonious and haunting voice" for peace and unity, while the internationally-renowned nonprofit organization Seeds of Peace honored her with an award for "uniting cultures to achieve peace through music." Smadar’s current project consists of an all-star international band whose aesthetically arresting sound reflects the rich cultural mosaic of the
Mediterranean world. www.smadarlevi.com
When Middle Eastern music extraordinaire Raquy Danziger joined forces with hard rock musician Liron Peled, the result was dark, powerful Middle Eastern music with a heavy emphasis on Arabic drumming, backed by a band of Arab and Israeli musicians.
The group features internationally-acclaimed dumbek player Raquy Danziger, who has performed and taught all over the world and has recently been invited to Egypt to perform as a soloist with a local 15-piece percussion orchestra led by Egyptian percussion superstar Saiid El-Artist Raquy and the Cavemen have performed at Central Park Summerstage, Lollapalooza and Floydfest among others. Their 1st CD, "Dust" made the top 20 on the CMJ chart for multiple weeks and their 2nd CD "Jordan" debuted at the top 30 on the same chart.
www.raquyandthecavemen.com
Anthony Coleman’s Sephardic Tinge
From traditional Sephardic melodies to Latin-influenced originals by way of Thelonious Monk and Jelly Roll Morton, to an Irving Fields arrangement from the classic ’50s Borsht Belt mambo/cha-cha album, Bagels & Bongos, Anthony Coleman takes a radical approach to the classic jazz piano trio. Pianist Anthony Coleman has worked with Marc Ribot, Glenn Branca, and the Krakauer Trio, and has performed and recorded with John Zorn since 1979. He has a previous album as a composer/performer on Avant (Japan) and two albums as a duo with Jazz Passengers’ saxophonist Roy Nathanson on Knitting Factory Works. Coleman also composed "Below 14th St. / Above 128th St." for Guy Klucevsek’s Manhattan Cascade (CRI).
Dec 20: Nuriya, Pharaoh's Daughter, Haale @ LPR (INFO) Dec 21: Dan & Aviva and Drory Yehoshua @ The Spanish Portuguese Synagogue (INFO) Dec 22: Moshav, Soulfarm & DeScribe @ Highline Ballroom (INFO) Dec 24: Miki Gavrielov, The ISRAEMERICAN House Band & Lily Henley & LPR (INFO) Dec 24: HEEBONISM feat. Diwon & LPR (INFO) Dec 26: Gerard Edary, Asefa, Oudblues @ Sixth St. Synagogue (INFO) Dec 27: Sephardic Story Slam @ Triad Theater (INFO)
