Uwishunu.com

“Radical Jewish Music is the process of contemporary Jews absorbing their musical and cultural surroundings and informing that with nearly four thousand years of tradition and collective experience; which is to say it’s no more radical than what Jews have always done.” Radical Jewish Music Festival participant Jon Madof couldn’t have said it better. The guitarist and Philadelphia native will be performing along with about a dozen other world renowned musicians as part of Ars Nova Workshop’s Radical Jewish Music Festival. The four-night concert series at various venues is a cumulative experience of musicians from around the world joining together for a common expression of new experiences in music, religion, and culture. This genre of music as a whole is most appropriately attributed to avant-underground music icon John Zorn, whose work in almost every genre of music has culminated in popularity with his famed klezmer-influenced ensemble Masada and his genre-bending Tzadik record label.

These concerts are not to be missed individually or as a series. Opening night features Masada Guitars, a duo of 6 string virtuosi Jon Madof and Tim Sparks. A matinee performance of John Zorn’s The Dreamers will play Essential Cinema, performing live scores to the films of Maya Deren, Joseph Cornell, Harry Smith and Marie Menken. Following, is an evening concert sure to fill the International House with the complete Electric Masada Ensemble featuring an impressive line-up of musicians (John Zorn, Cyro Baptista, Joey Baron, Trevor Dunn, Ikue Mori, Marc Ribot, Jamie Saft, Kenny Wollesen, Erik Friedlander). The final performance features the trio of Swiss/Israeli singer Ayelet Rose Gottleib, pianist Anat Fort, and Michael Winograd on clarinet. Even if radical is not one of the top three words you use to describe yourself, any of these performances will help you understand how to color outside the lines.

Ars Nova Workshop: Radical Jewish Music Festival
March 1-4, 2008
Various venues and prices
www.arsnovaworkshop.com