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.