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Welcome to JMI's April Newsletter by Klezfest 2018 Head of Faculty, Alan Bern
Hi! I’m Alan Bern, and It’s my pleasure and honour to address you through this month’s JMI newsletter! I’m delighted to be the Head of Faculty for this summer’s Klezfest, working together with a simply great group of colleagues from Great Britain, North America, Germany and elsewhere.
I’m a composer, pianist, accordionist and cultural activist, and I’ve been part of the amazing phenomenon we call the “klezmer revival” since the late 1970s. Back then, nobody could have imagined how the music would spread throughout the world, spawning new groups and styles wherever it went and re-awakening interest in Yiddish language, culture and history at the same time. Which brings me nicely to this year’s JMI Summer Schools.
If you’ve already participated in Klezfest (klezmer music), Golden Peacock (Yiddish song) or Ot Azoy! (Yiddish language), then you know that, on a scale of 1 to 10, they easily hit 11 when it comes to combining learning and fun. Plus, as the title of the great book about the Shtetl says, “Life is With People,” and at the JMI Summer Schools you connect with other people from near and afar in countless life-enriching ways. So, to the “experienced” among you – join us again in 2018, enough said! And to those of you who haven’t yet participated in a JMI Summer School – the door is wide open! You just need to walk through it!
A bit of good news for everyone: if you register by June 1, you’ll get the early booking discount, never a bad thing! (Why pay more if you don’t have to?)
I mentioned above the dizzying proliferation of musical styles over the last 40 years inspired by the klezmer revival. That is indeed one of the special topics of this year’s Klezfest. With people like Josh Dolgin, Ilana Cravitz, Susi Evans and yours truly on the faculty, we’ll look into how different artists mix past, present and future to create a unique, individual musical voice. In plenary sessions, ensembles and instrument classes, we’ll explore different ways of learning and making klezmer music and we’ll generate impulses meant to last long after the summer programme has ended. Since a large proportion of klezmer music was originally dance music and we still love playing for dancing, another main goal of Klezfest this summer will be getting clear on the connection between dance and music: What are the main Yiddish dance genres? What are their tempos, beats and typical melodies? How are Yiddish dances related to other European dances?
And what would be a dance workshop without a real dance party? (Don’t ask). So on Wednesday, August 22nd, we’ll channel all our musical and dance-ical energy into a Dance Party at JW3 - everybody invited – where you can play your best dreydlekh and show your best moves. We’ve already alerted the air traffic controllers to dangerous thermal columns rising from JW3 that evening, so you’ll want to arrive by ground transportation. Don’t forget your instrument and your dance shoes!
And here’s something else not to forget: on Wednesday, May 16th, the fabulous Simon Schama and Friends will share their musical memories in an evening of delicious entertainment. Only 6 places left.
That about wraps it up for the moment. Speaking for myself, for my colleagues and for JMI, we’re really looking forward to seeing you soon. In the meantime, stay healthy and get ready!
Warmest greetings,
Alan Bern
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MUSICAL MEMORIES WITH SIMON SCHAMA AND FRIENDS
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Musical Memories
Wed 16 May
North West London location
Michael Grade JMI Joint President is delighted to invite you to share Musical Memories and a lot of laughs with his Famous Friends. We are very excited to welcome 10cc's Graham Gouldman, JMI Joint President Valerie Solti, Actress and Writer Tracey-Ann Oberman and Actor Henry Goodman
Message from Michael Grade: “I’m so sorry I can’t be with you on the 16th May due to pressing business in the House of Lords. I am delighted that Simon Schama has agreed to step into my shoes – surely the first time the understudy has been replaced by the star! I know you will give as generously as you can to this wonderful cause.”
Donations raised at this event are essential to help to support and expand JMI's music educational programmes and to assist students of all ages to study Jewish music and culture. We very much look forward to hearing from you and do hope that you can join us. To secure your place, please call the office on 0207 898 4307 or email Jennifer Jankel here
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Ot Azoy!
Learn Yiddish
19-24 August
SOAS, Russell Square
London
Discover JMI's famous full immersion courses in Yiddish Language, song and culture for people of all ages, levels and backgrounds, where complete beginners can learn to speak, read, write, sing and even dream in Yiddish in a week. Ot Azoy Yiddish language classes are held at 5 levels and are directed by the head of Yiddish at UCL, Dr Khayele Beer with a faculty of world class Yiddish tutors and experts. As well as hands-on classroom teaching, the course also features an extensive cultural programme of music, theatre, poetry and lectures from a world of Yiddish past and present. Shura Lipovsky, the Director of The Golden Peacock (Goldene Pave), will also teach a daily session of Yiddish through song.
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Helen Beer - Head of Faculty
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Sonia Pinkusowitz-Dratwa
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Lily Kahn
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Sima Beeri
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Simo Muir has just been confirmed to the faculty, plus more experts and teachers are being added for language, film and lectures.
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AUGUST: THE GOLDEN PEACOCK
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The Golden Peacock
Learn Yiddish Song
19-24 August
SOAS, Russell Square
London
The Golden Peacock Yiddish Song course will be led by internationally acclaimed Yiddish singer and teacher Shura Lipovsky with esteemed colleagues from around the world. It is designed for all singers who wish to deepen their knowledge of the rich Yiddish song repertoire. You will spend the morning studying music theory, repertoire, roots and traditions of Yiddish Song, modes and melodies. Afternoons will focus on studying further repertoire, master-classes and a Yiddish Choir. You will be amazed at how much you will be learning, singing and performing Yiddish song in only one week!
This year's faculty, led by Shura Lipovsky, features the combined talents of Lorin Sklamberg, Polina Shepherd, Rachel Weston and Joseph Finlay.
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Lorin Sklamberg
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Polina Shepherd
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Rachel Weston
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Joseph Finlay
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KlezFest 2018
Learn Klezmer, Play Klezmer
19-24 August
SOAS, Russell Square
London
We are very happy to announce that our world famous Klezmer summer school is back again for 2018. Join the world famous music school and learn klezmer this summer at KlezFest 2018. Here is a a peek into what you can expect:
- Traditional Klezmer; history, melodies, ornamentation, dance and accompaniment
- Play music in ensembles and delve into improvisational techniques
- Interpret scores, jam and perform to the public.
- Lectures from the cutting edge of academic research
- Hands-on tutoring from world leading experts.
- The international faculty will feature some of the very best klezmer musicians from around the world.
Alan Bern – Accordion (DE/USA) – Head of Faculty
Susi Evans – Clarinet (UK) – Assistant Head of Faculty
Ilana Cravitz – Violin (UK)
Andreas Schmitges – Mandolin/Guitar/Dance (DE)
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Alan Bern - Head of Faculty
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Susi Evans - Assistant Head of Faculty
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Andreas Shmitges - Dance
(photo Adam Berry)
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Ilana Cravitz - Violin/Fiddle
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Just announced: Josh Dolgin (Socalled) to join the Klezfest faculty for August 2018
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JMI YOUTH BIG BAND - APPLY NOW
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JMI Youth Big Band Summer School
28-29-30 August
10am until 4pm
A 3 day workshop where band members will be given the awesome opportunity to develop ensemble and solo playing skills, led by Tzadik Label Jazz musician and band leader Sam Eastmond.
Fusing together music of Jewish origin and cutting edge contemporary jazz sounds, the JMI Youth Big Band presents Jewish music as you’ve never heard it before! This is the next generation of musical superstars, breaking ground and redefining music of Jewish origin. The band is comprised of teenagers with a passion for music, drawing from funk, soul, jazz, afro-beat and rock influences. Band leader/composer/arranger/trumpet player Sam Eastmond works at the cutting edge of radical Jewish culture (often with legendary New York composer John Zorn as part of his Masada projects). Sam also has huge experience working with Youth Ensembles, and composes and arranges the music for this project.
If you play:
Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Piano, Guitar, Bass or Drums to grade 5+ (or equivalent) standard and you are aged 11-19, then download the application form to join us for future rehearsals, workshops, and performances.
Upcoming shows include:
1st Anniversary celebration show at Klezmer in the Park
Sunday 2nd September 2018
Regent’s Park Bandstand
Chanukah performance at JW3
Monday 17th December 2018
JW3, Finchley Road
If you would like an application form, please email Raphael Knapp here
We interviewed Sam Eastmond to find out more and that feature can be heard here
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PLATINUM: CELEBRATING ISRAEL AT 70
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Balkan Beat Box, A-Wa, Gili Yalo, Shai Tsabari, Revolution Orchestra, Gilad Ephrat Ensemble plus many more
Headline act Balkan Beat Box Soundsystem will perform their signature mix of world music, jazz, electronica, hip hop and everything in between with special guest singers Ethiopian Israeli Gili Yalo, Shai Tsabari and Yemenite all-star female group A-WA. They will be joined by Vertigo Dance Company, Israel’s leading contemporary dance company, making their debut UK performance with the Revolution Orchestra presenting White Noise, and classical string quartet Gilad Ephrat Ensemble, plus other exceptional guests, creating an unforgettable night at the Royal Albert Hall.
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It will be hosted by music and arts broadcaster Suzy Klein and Rob Rinder, reality star of ITV’s Judge Rinder.
Thursday 24 May
Royal Albert Hall
London
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Iva Bittová and Abraham Brody
International musicians Iva Bittová and Abraham Brody present the premiere of their playful new lyrical collaboration.
Wednesday 9 May
Rich Mix
London
Info here
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Klezmer Dance Intensive with Guy Schalom
An accomplished Klezmer dancer, Guy can often be seen leading Klezmer Keilidhs and Yiddish Barn dances all around the world and is founder and course director of JMI’s Yiddish dance course Tants, Tants, Tants.
Friday 18th to Sunday 20th May
Multi-venue
London
Info here
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Yiddish Open Mic Café
Dedicated to the memory of Chaim Neslen, a major champion of Yiddish in London and organiser of the “Friends of Yiddish” for many years.
Saturday 19th May
2pm – 5pm
The Poetry Café, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX.
Cost: A minimal donation on the door to cover expenses (essentially room hire).
Info: here
*Acoustic musical accompaniment is welcome.
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She'Koyokh
Hampstead
9 May
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The London Cantorial Singers Concert
Kenton United, 13 May
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Geoff Berner
Balabam, London
19 May
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