MILES NADAL JCC AND THE UJA COMMITTEE FOR YIDDISH INVITE YOU TO JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL IN-PERSON EVENT
Yiddish Concert and Café
Hartzedike Lider
Featuring Allan Merovitz and Brian Katz
With Special Guest Jonno Lightstone
Thursday, June 12, 2024
Concert: 1:30-3:30 PM
Reception: 3:30-4:30 PM
Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina Ave
Admission: $8
Please CLICK HERE to register.
For registration assistance, please
call 416-924-6211 ext.0 or email help@mnjcc.org
Hartzedike-Lider features celebrated Yiddish singer Allan Merovitz - who rarely preforms in Toronto - joined by long-time collaborator, acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, Brian Katz and MNjcc favourite, ace klezmer clarinettist, Jonno Lightstone. The trio brings together well-loved Yiddish songs and klezmer in new and exciting arrangements, as well as original compositions flowing out of this beloved tradition. Hartzedike-Lider has thrilled audiences world-wide, experimenting with the Yiddish gems, “bluesing,” reharmonizing, changing the forms, to find new riches in the music.
There will definitely be opportunities to sing and scat along. Audience participation is not mandatory— but we cast our bets that you’ll want to join in!
After the concert, we will also have a Yiddish open-mic portion for those wishing to read poetry, prose or perform an acapella song, and sweet kosher treats at our dessert reception.
Space is limited! To avoid disappointment at the door, please purchase your tickets in advance.
Allan Merovitz is a Juno Award nominee musician/actor widely known for his eight years and two recordings (FBKB / Agada) as the former lead singer of the Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band and a two-time Dora Mavor Moore award winner for theatre productions in Toronto. Allan has recorded and toured with some of the world’s top Yiddish and Klezmer ensembles including the Ot Azoj Klezmer Band of Amsterdam, Hartzedike-Lider (with Brian Katz) and the Montreal based Merovitz Project (Galaxy Award, 2009). His musical-theatre productions The Wedding Bard / Der Badchan and If Cows Could Fly (with Artword Theatre) and 1759 The First Channukah in Kanata: The Aaron Hart Story as well as his most recent, Horses, have been performed and produced in Canada and Europe, with recent performances in Ottawa, Hamilton, and at Toronto’s internationally renowned Ashkenaz Festival. KlezMerovitz, Allan’s Calgary based band has been featured at the Calgary Folk Festival and has been recorded by CBC on several occasions. Allan presently calls Calgary home, where he joins weekly old-time fiddle jams with new musician friends and continues to be a local singer- songwriter and bandleader of KlezMerovitz2.
Toronto-based and internationally acclaimed guitarist, pianist, composer, educator, Brian Katz is celebrated for his instrumental mastery and evocative compositions, where he forges jazz, Jewish, classical, and various world music influences into a very personal sound. His longstanding love of Jewish music has led to collaborations with leading Jewish music artists such as virtuoso clarinettists, Jonno Lightstone and Martin van de Ven and Yiddish singers, Allan Merovitz, Michael Alpert (Brave Old World), Shura Lipovsky, Theresa Tova and Global Music Juno recipient, Lenka Lichtenberg. Brian has also worked alongside many esteemed jazz and world music artists including Cuban-jazz specialist, Jane Bunnett and jazz legend, Barry Harris. Mr. Katz has held a teaching post at the University of Toronto and York University for many years, instructing in jazz, classical, klezmer, open improvisation, Music for Health and Wellness and Dalcroze Eurhythmics, a method of music-movement education. There is a chapter on Brian in a recently published book by David Eisenstadt: Musicians Under the Radar: 36 Notable Canadian Jewish Performers. Of Brian’s solo guitar recording, Leaves Will Speak, noted European music critic Alexanader Shmitz wrote : “If you want music that speaks—here it is.” www.briankatz.com
This Miles Nadal JCC event is co-sponsored by the UJA Committee for Yiddish.
Presented in partnership with the Yiddish Vinkl and Grodzinski Bakery.