Hebrew School

I’m happy to report on the success of Hebrew School’s first show this past Sunday at Banjo Jim’s. Since the show for me was somewhat experimental in nature– a way for me to chart the project’s musical direction in a live setting– I hadn’t publicized it widely outside of the blog. Nonetheless, a staunch group of dear friends came out to support me, including the amazing Jill Vogel, playwright Adam Mathias, director William Addis, Jorge Reichert, Innajara Simoes, and dear friend Kate Taylor.

Though tonight was largely a Six Points evening, it started out with a really fabulous singing and guitar-piano duo, the Pearl and the Beard.

above: Pearl, Beard

Clare Burson’s new material is sweet and haunting.

My set, starting a little after 9:30, filled out the Super Bowl’s calamitous fourth quarter for my hometown team, the New England Patriots. I literally watched the implosion occur as I played, on the TV screen above the bar. Nonetheless, the ruach (i.e., the Schwartz) was with me…

At a certain point I chose to ecstatically look at the ceiling instead. What would JJD?

…and thanks to the musicians I worked with, Taylor Bergren-Chrisman and Tim Monaghan, we did more than get the first downs. As a matter of fact, I believe we rocked.

Here’s a clip of the tail end of a work in progress entitled “He Looked at the Sun.” More videos to be posted on youtube soon!

The set included several more works in progress, including a song about hypocrisy in the Bible in the context of the current Israel/Palestinian struggle, an argument for atheism, and an incantation of love and reverence for God. Some songs use Jewish liturgical texts; some have original lyrics.

Dan Fishback phenomenized the defeatingly self-aware, post-structuralist woe of a twentysomething with the predictable vigor and candor.

Jeremiah Lockwood wove together a very different kind of blues, full of splendid tales of faith and murder, creatively and deftly accompanying himself– often in unison– with octave voicings on the guitar.

Thanks to those who came out, and keep an eye out for more Hebrew School in the not-too-distant future!

Tomorrow night.

We rehearsed!

I’m happy to announce that Hebrew School will have its first show this coming Sunday, February 3 at Banjo Jim’s. We’ll be playing a short set of new material I have been working on for the last six months or so. Joining me will be Golemites Taylor Bergren-Chrisman on bass and Tim Monaghan on drums. (Taylor also plays with bands such as Las Rubias del Norte; Tim with such bands as J.A.C.K.)

Joining Hebrew School on Sunday will be fellow Six Points fellows Clare Burson, Dan Fishback, and Jeremiah Lockwood. We’ll all be playing half-hour sets starting at 9pm. See events page for more details. Hope to see you there!

And, for the sake of posterity and an illusion of lack of continuity, check out this 8-year-old clip of our old klezmer band, the Murrays, playing the first and last rock show ever held at Katz’s Delicatessen. (If you have to ask which one is me, you probably shouldn’t be told.)

This past weekend, the Jews kidnapped the fellowship artists and brought us to a secluded location in rural New Jersey. Fortunately our quarters were comfortable and no Geneva Conventions violations were reported during our stay (at least no non-consensual ones, anyway).

above: The paddywagon

During our extradition, a wet snow begins to fall. The bus, too large to navigate the back roads, gets stuck on some train tracks on an icy hill and we all evacuate. A while (but not long enough!) after the bus moves to safer grounds, a train comes barreling through.

Indoctrination begins in the meditation room. We receive artist feedback here by staring into the electric crystal.

On the second evening at sundown, a bizarre candle-lighting ritual ensues as we are relieved of our duties. (Note the gangly state of the male detainees.)

Avishai snuck in some delicious Ethiopian challah bread made of teff and flour. A carton of cigarettes procures us enough wine for kiddush.

A rumored hunger strike never materializes.

We bundle up for a very moving movie, presented by Tamar Rogoff. Our spirit has been softened.

In the morning, I bribe some of my cohort to do yoga for me, and for the rest of the day I feel much more relaxed.

“Achota” Rebecca Guber leads us on a hike. (Those who have recently given birth to adorable Jewish babies are allowed to walk ahead.)

As our shadows grow long, our map leads us through an open field of rifle-bearing meat enthusiasts with little Jewish sense of humor, so we turn back.

C.C. for havdalah will be just fine, actually, thanks.

Everyone’s favorite female sage

The grounds of Mount Eden have many charming details.

Cookie monster, somewhat faded

Amidst the chaos since the waters have receded (and still waiting for that dove to come back with the olive branch), I’ve successfully built my little home studio and have begun to record new demos for the project. Monday brought the talented fellow Brooklynite Michelle Citrin (a.k.a. Rosh Hashanah Girl) to my Sunset Park abode, where she helped me with vocals for a certain traditional Hebrew song which I have deconstructed and slowed down like Derrida on ketamine.

Michelle jams out.

Housekeeping note: The blog shifts focus now as I take one foot out of the research phase of my project and the songs for my record begin to take shape.  Vinyl fans need not worry, though; I’m so backlogged with amazing music (Jewish and otherwise) that the record posts must continue…