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Johnny Mathis celebrates Judaism
Story by Steven Mirkin
SoundSpike Contributor
Published August 5, 2010 03:41 PM
"Can I hear an Oy�Can I get an Oy Vey!"
If you thought that Jews dabbling in black music started with Matishyahu, there's a surprise in store. On Aug. 19, Los Angeles' Skirball Center will present the Jews on Vinyl revue featuring jazz pioneer Fred Katz and Sol Zim, described as "the Tom Jones of cantorial music." The evening will also include an appearance by Johnny Mathis [ tickets ].
What does the singer of "Chances Are" and "Misty" have to do with Jewish Music, you ask? Mathis will be discussing his recording of the "Kol Nidre," a prayer recited as part of the Yom Kippur service, made 50 years ago. Mathis will also be getting an early start celebrating his 75th birthday (Sept. 30).
The Mathis recording will be featured on "Black Sabbath: The Secret Musical History of Black-Jewish Relations," alongside tracks by Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Jimmy Scott, to be released Aug. 14 by the Idelsohn Society. Mathis will not perform, only talk and receive an award from Idelsohn, which means the world will be deprived on a new chapter in Black-Jewish relations -- a duet between Mathis and Sol Zim.
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