Michigan Jewish Music - upcoming events

Lots of great Jewish music happening on the North Coast this summer. Check it out.

July 10: Matisyahu plays at Detroit's St. Andrews Hall

"Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with Reggae, rock and hip hop beat-boxing sounds, Matisyahu's single "King Without a Crown" was a Top 40 hit in the United States of America" I've seen Matisyahu twice before. He's fantastic live.

July 16: Michigan State Klezmorim and Wisaal play at Detroit's Concert of Colors.

One of Lansing's two great klezmer groups hits Detroit as part of a huge two day free music fest. While you're there also check out Arab fusion band Wisaal, who "attempt[s] to fuse elements of the Arabic musical heritage with Klezmer, Indian, and American influences while respecting the spirit of these traditions.

July 20: Israeli jazz saxophone / clarinet player Anat Cohen plays the Detroit Jazz Fest (at the Detroit Jewish Community)

Since arriving in New York in 1999, Israeli born Anat Cohen has established herself as one of the primary voices of her generation. The saxophonist/clarinetist is a bandleader and composer, conversant in jazz, classical, Brazilian, Argentine and Afro-Cuban styles. Her historic engagement at the Village Vanguard in 2007 marked her as the first female reed player and the first Israeli to headline at the club. She topped the Rising Star-Clarinet category in DownBeat Magazine’s critics poll in both 2007 and 2008, and placed prominently in a total of four categories including Rising Star Jazz Artist.

I'll probably be ushering. Come say hi!

July 20: Heartland Klezmorim play at the Meridian Historic Village in Okemos

Detroit's other great klezmer band play an outdoor show at the Meridian Historic Village.





July 23: Heller, Steyer & Green will be playing Java Havdallah at Temple Kol Ami

Heller, Steyer & Green features the talents of Cantor Penny Heller Steyer of Temple Shir Shalom and her children Tiffany Steyer Green, cantorial soloist at Temple Kol Ami, and Matthew G. Steyer, visiting cantorial soloist at Temple Kol Ami and Temple Shir Shalom. They stole the show at the Detroit JCC's Stephen Gottlieb Music Fest a couple of months ago.

August 26 to 29: Adrienne Cooper, Daniel Kahn, Susan Leviton, Judith Eisner and Douglas Cole, Neil Alexander and Klezmer Fusion Band, Cantor M. Smolash, and Cantorial Soloist Neil Michaels, along with the PuppetART theater of Detroit and dancer Steve Weintraub, perform at the International Association of Yiddish Clubs 14th Conference in Novi

Check out the IAYC conference entertainment page for bios of all the bands. So much great music. I may have to crash this party.

The Red Sea Pedestrians play pretty much everywhere and everywhen.
My favorite local roots jazz klezmer gang have a crazy busy gig schedule and a brand new album out. They'll be playing near you soon, so no excuses.





Steve Klaper, The Jewish Troubadour, will be hanging out at the Song & Spirit Institute for Peace in Berkley MI and Congregation Shir Tikva in Troy, MI