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World Up It could only happen at Ashkenaz
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East Bay Express, World Up It could only happen at Ashkenaz >>
By Larry Kelp
We live in one of the richest lodes of world music anywhere, but when was the last time a singer from Guinea or trumpeter from Serbia sat down with you and explained where his or her music came from, how it's made, and why it's so important? That one-on-one is a rarity; bands come, play, and leave for the next city. We cheer and our lives are enriched, but that direct personal connection doesn't happen. Until now.
Taproots & New Growth: Cultivating World Music, a brilliant music series beginning this week at Ashkenaz, combines inforative, behind-the-scenes talks by world music artists with rousing concert dances. As produced by the venerable Berkley music and dance community center, where all the events will be staged, "Taproots" premieres this Friday with French Roma (Gypsy) band Les Yeux Noirs. The ensemble hosts a lecture demonstration at 8 p.m., joined by Martin Schwartz, an international expert on Jewish and Greek music. At 9:30 p.m., the band plays its regular concert of Django-meets-klezmer swing. Tickets for that and most of the series events are $5 for hte lecture or demo, or $15 for both.
Guinea's Bembeya Jazz stars on July 21 and 22, followed by the Congo's Kekele (July 31), Madagascar's Jaojoby (August 13), Near East Far West (August 13-14), and Serbia's frenetic Boban Markovic Orkestar (September 19), with more events in coming months. Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley.
For more info or a "Taproots" full schedule, call 510-525-5054 or visit Ashkenaz.com 07/14/04
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