NEW LOGO & NEW BLOG

It's not easy to cure cancer, but Pioneers do what's never been done!

Hello fellow pioneers! Take a look at the final candidate for the new logo above. 

Also, we'll be starting a new blog this week. The focus of this blog will be on the cancer charities themselves, with links to their sites. Our blogger will be Karen Rosen, a cancer survivor herself, who has already recorded a track for us and is uniquely qualified for this task. Go Karen! I'll post a link to the blog once it is up and running.

Stay well and have a good Shabbos.

PIONEERS FOR A CURE WEBSITE OFFICIALLY UP !

Hello friends, hope all is well. Just a quick post to inform everyone that the new official site for the Pioneers For A Cure project is up and running...

Pioneers For A Cure

Please visit the website and sign up for our e-mail list to stay informed about the project and the various artists and charities involved. 

REBBE SOUL, Monday, June 2, 2008

After Hasidic New Wave was done, Rebbe Soul came into the studio to lay down his track for the album. Rebbe Soul is an acclaimed and versatile musician who fuses rock with new-world and old-world sounds. Of course there are obvious traces of Zeppelin and Hendrix in Rebbe Soul's style, but the music remains significantly and evenly steeped in Judaic heritage. 

Aaron Alexander from Hasidic New Wave along with our producer Greg Wall stayed in the studio and recorded with Rebbe Soul, with Aaron on the guitar and Greg playing the piano. 

All proceeds from the Rebbe Soul track will go to benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer institute. 

The above featured picture is of the three of them, mid-session. 

HASIDIC NEW WAVE, Monday, June 2, 2008

Monday was a busy day in the studio. Our project's producer, Greg Wall, had his own band, Hasidic New Wave come into the studio to record a session for the album. The band gets its unique sound by combining spiritual songs from Hasidic dynasties to funk and jazz...like a Hasidic version of Medeski, Martin & Wood, if you can imagine. The band is made up of Greg Wall (tenor sax), Frank London (trumpet), David Fiuczynski (guitar), Aaron Alexander (percussion), and Fima Ephron (bass). The day was so beautiful that during part of the recording session, we opened the front door to the studio and let the sunshine stream in.

The Klezmershack had this to say after seeing the band perform live...

"What we have here is not a clean, safe, Ben Sidron version of Jewish jazz (which, I might add, is quite pleasant in its place, even if its place tends not to be my house). Listening to Frank London and Greg Wall intertwine as they conclude their exploration of the limits of the traditional "Tzur Mishelo," for instance, or to simply hear the driving opening chords of the "Satmer Hakafos #6," one realizes that this is not random exploration, but exploration rooted in a specific cultural experience. "

The picture featured above is of Aaron and Fima enjoying the beautiful day outside of the studio...

Y-LOVE & DIWON, Monday, June 2, 2008

Right now, I am in the studio with hip hop artist Y-Love and his producer diwon. They actually recorded the track for the album in their own private studio, and just came into our studio to work on some overdubs. The track was amazing, it featured Y-Love rhyming over 50 year old field samples of Yemenite chanting. The original inspiration for the track was the Kibbutz settlers, the early settlers to Israel. 

The vibe of the track ended up sounding reminiscent of a Saul Williams track...like XXL magazine said "Y-Love is like Talib Kweli and Saul Williams in a yarmulke...making hip-hop Kosher". 

All of the proceeds from their track will go to benefit Cancer Care of New York. 

CHECK THIS OUT!

Hey guys, there is a another blog that is related to the project that you should definitely check out...

Cancer Songs For Cure

Thanks! Stay safe.

ABBI ROSE, Friday, May 2, 2008

Today was a treat! Abbi Rose came in to record a track of her vocals, accompanied by Shanir and Mathias from Rashanim, as well as cellist Ben Kabl. All of the percussion, the accompaniment, topped off with beautiful cuts of Ben's cello made the track really shine. Abbi has an amazing voice that is bright and clear, and she has an incredible range. And she has actually recorded a children's album, which currently is available on iTunes...if you get a chance check it out, and you can her her melodic voice...

YOSSI PIAMENTA, Thursday, May 1, 2008

Today, Yossi Piamenta, a self taught musician, came to the Pioneer studios. He is one half of the duo the Piamenta Band (his brother Avi, and internationally acclaimed flutist). He plays the guitar, and the incredible fact that he is self taught actually makes him one of the most original and skillful musicians on the secular and Jewish music scene. He was discovered, and brought to America from Israel by the world famous jazz musician (and one of my personal favorites) the Brazilian Stan Getz. Absolutely beautiful music.

Hopefully soon I will be able to post some audio clips so you can hear exactly what I'm talking about!

ADRIENNE COOPER, April 16, 2008

Adrienne Cooper came into the studio today to record. Adrienne Cooper is one of the most influential performers of Yiddish vocal music today. She also has the only Yiddish recording ever nominated for a Grammy. The thing that I love about the Yiddish language is that even though it has been dismissed and repeatedly declared a "dead language", it has it continued to resurface and make a comeback everytime...which I think is an incredible symbol for the plight of the Jewish religion, and is so indicative of the history of Judism- though it is dismissed, and almost even destroyed, it survives.

JOSHUA NELSON & FRANK LONDON Monday, April 14, 2008

On Monday afternoon, Joshua Nelson and Frank London came into the Pioneer’s studio. Joshua is a notorious Black Jewish Gospel singer, who has performed with musical legends including Wynton Marsalis, Aretha Franklin and Stephanie Mills. John transcends labels and differences between races and faiths through his music. In 2000, a film was made about his music and his efforts entitled “Keep On Walking: Joshua Nelson: The Jewish Gospel Singer”. Apparently, the film was met with outstanding reviews. Additionally, the accomplished Frank London came in to round out the track with some beautiful accompaniment on the trumpet. The finished track came out sounding almost like Dire Straits with vocals.

JON MADOF Saturday April 9, 2008

Tonight Jon Madof of Rashanim came back into the studio to record a couple of layover tracks for the acoustic portion of their track, a great way to spend the Saturday night. Ricky also dropped by to prepare for the recording of his track, and we all just hung out in the studio and had a good time.

LORIN SKLAMBERG & BEN KALB Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Today was really special, for two reasons. One, we were lucky enough to get the lead singer from the Grammy winning group The Klezmatics, Lorin Sklamberg to come into the studio. Secondly, we were equally as lucky to get Ben Kalb, an accomplished cellist into the studio to record. And not only is Ben amazing on the cello, but I was excited to meet him because he was also featured on one of my favorite Regina Spektor songs-a older live recording of the rare song “Loveology”. The two recorded a haunting track, with Lorin on the guitara, and Ben on the cello, Together, the two created a sparse, open arrangement, reminiscent of a Yiddish lullaby. 

PHAROAH'S DAUGHTER Tuesday, April 8, 2008

On Tuesday, Pharoah’s Daughter came into the studio! The group is made up of Basya Schechter (vocals, guitar), Daphna Mor (sopranino/bass recorder), Meg Okura (violinist), Yuval Lion (drums), as well as Shanir and Mathias from Rashanim. Pharoah’s Daughter combines Hasidic chants, Mizrachi and Sephardi folk-rock, and spiritual stylings filtered through percussion, flute, strings and electronica. Their unique sound has been cultivated by their eclectic musical and Hasidic music backgrounds. Their track sounds a little similar to the style of the group Sixpence None The Richer. During their session, they were so much fun to watch - this group was so well connected and familiar with each other, it was awesome to see them sitting at the large table during a break from recording, simultaneously eating and jamming.

ALICIA SVIGALS Monday April 7, 2008

On the 7th, Alicia Svigals, the world famous Klezmer Violinist graced us with her presence in the studio. Klezmer is the traditional celebration music of Eastern European Jewry, and Alicia's music is simulteniously electrifying and heart wrenching. She co-founded one of the most well-known Klezmer bands, The Klezmatics. Hearing her music was incredible, and after the session, I logged onto her website for more. I found this quote:

"When I was little I divided my afterschool time between Bach violin concertos and weekly classes at the local Workmen’s Circle school, where we were taught, somewhat eccentrically, Yiddish and socialism, while the rest of the Jewish world was studying Hebrew and preparing for their bar/bas mitzvahs. I couldn’t have imagined then, a presumed future doctor of some sort, that eventually those elements would coalesce into a career that would take me around the world, and that I’d get to witness and even assist at the miraculous rebirth of Yiddish culture in our day."

Awesome.

RASHANIM Friday April 4

On Friday, RASHANIM came into the studio and recorded their contrabution to the album. Rashanim, a trio made up of Jon Madof on guitar, Shanir Blumenkranz on the bass, and Mathias Kunzli on percussion, is one of the most prolific recording artists on Tzadik Records. Their sound that crosses musical boundaries into Jewish Middle Eastern, Eastern European Jazz and Jamband. The word Rashanim translated into English literally means "Noisemakers", so obviously the session was amazing. Jon, though unassuming, kicks ass on the guitar. The bassist Shanir looks like a throwback to a 1969 Paul McCartney, playing a McCartney Hoffer Bass. Mathias has this huge Sideshow Bob style fro, and an insatiable amount of energy, which lends itself well to the feeling of the track. 

NOAH SOLOMON April 2, 2008

On Wednesday night, Noah came out to work on the second track for the project...and he completely rocked the studio. It was just him and his guitar-he overdubbed all his harmonizing vocals. The track is definitely going to be one of the best on the album.

Keep checking the blog OFTEN as new sound bites and samples will be added to various posts...so you can preview the art!

NESHAMA CARLEBACH April 1, 2008

On Tuesday, Neshama was in the studio laying down the first official track for the project. The song was absolutely beautiful, and her performance did the piece justice. Her voice has a very haunting quality to it, and at times it is almost reminiscent of old-school Des'ree. She had this to say about the project...

"I'm thrilled to be a part of this incredible project. Proceeds from my own track will go to support the Israel Children's Cancer Foundation. It's up to all of us my friends. Lets give back, and bring healing to this world."

-Neshama Carlebach

THE STUDIO

Welcome!

Welcome friends! Good fortune has brought you across this site, which is the official blog for Pioneers For A Cure. Pioneers For A Cure was started in early 2008, by the non-profit organization Joodayoh Arts. Cancer has emerged as a top killer worldwide, even surpassing HIV/AIDS in the developing world. In an effort to raise funds to support organizations pioneering new methods in cancer treatment and research, Pioneers For A Cure has gathered some of today’s top Jewish musical artists to record the music of the pioneers of Israel…The Chalutzim. For the next few months, this site will document the entire process, session by session. The recorded songs will then be made into a CD available online for purchase through www.pioneersforacure.org. All proceeds from each download will go directly to the cancer charity selected by each artist. Users will be able to log on and purchase songs directly, as well as leave an additional contribution of their own, or even a dedication to a loved one.

The original pioneers of music and culture in Israel inspired the idea for the project, as well as the name. As Jews began to emigrate to their ancestral homeland in increasing numbers towards the end of the 19^th century, a bizarre melting pot was formed. Although well seasoned with the passion of return it at first had no distinct flavor. How could the nation to be come together as one voice when they lacked a melody to carry it? What were the songs of Zion?

In an unprecedented attempt to create a cultural base, composers were challenged to write new folk music, a soundtrack to the formation of a new country. The words and melody were printed on postcards, which were mailed across Palestine, Europe, and Asia Minor.

In the 1930s musicologist Hans Nathan, completely captivated by the idea of using postcards to spread the new music, decided to send postcards to such leading Jewish composers as Aaron Copeland, Darius Milhaud, Kurt Weill, Stephan Wolpe, Arthur Honneger, Ernst Toch. They enthusiastically responded with settings for the new Israeli music. Pioneers For A Cure producer Greg Wall, in tribute to the postcard project, sent cards via email to today’s bright lights of Jewish music; Neshama Carlebach, Pharaoh's Daughter, Rashanim, Adrienne Cooper, Noah Solomon, Frank London and others.

Please revisit the site often to stay updated on this exciting project!