Jacob’s Ladder, in partnership with Kehillath Israel, is excited to offer a unique experience on Thursday, August 7 at Kehillath Israel in Brookline at 7:30PM, where you can come for a behind-the-scenes participatory live recording session. Over the course of the evening, you will watch Jacob’s Ladder rehearse, perform, and record three songs off their new project, Hamakom.
This session is an homage to the style of music-making we have highlighted through KI’s Melave Malka series: all encompassing, inclusive, soulful, raw, and spontaneous sounds of communal song. Here’s where things get fun: We will be calling YOU to add your voices and bring these recordings to life.
🎫Capacity is limited to 60, so register now to reserve your spot!
Who is performing?
Jacob’s Ladder, comprised of Ariel Wyner (band leader, vocals and multi-instrumentalist), Sofía Chiarandini (fiddle, vocals), and G Rockwell (multi-instrumentalist, vocals) are a Jewish band combining bluegrass and American roots styles and grooves into prayer, nigun, and spiritual music. They have had a long-term residency at Kehillath Israel and Mishkan Tefila, hosting monthly Saturday evening song circles, and were 2024 featured artist at Ashkenazfest, headlined at JAM Fest in Portsmouth and Nashville, and have played hundreds of shows and residencies across the country, Canada, and Israel. Their music has been featured at both Song Leader Boot Camp and the Cantor’s Assembly conferences. Keep reading here…
Is this a concert? Or Something else?
This is a recording session and not a concert. There will be many moments where the band is working out arrangements and tweaking things, sometimes starting over in the middle of a song if needed, or taking breaks to sort technological kinks out. Since this is a live recording, all phones must be turned off (or silenced) during the session. You will be allowed to exit at any time between takes of songs.
Will this be filmed?
Yes, it will be filmed, though capturing the musicians is the priority. That being said, if you are uncomfortable being on camera, this might not be the right setting for you!
What does it mean to participate?
For two out of the three recordings, we are asking for audience participation! If you want to watch but not sing, that’s okay, of course, though we encourage everyone who plans on attending to join. As part of registration, KI will be collecting your info and sending music ahead of time for those that would like a head start!
Is this the whole album… just these three 3 songs?
These are the final three songs on Jacob’s Ladder’s new, 14-track, 2nd full length album, Hamakom. The band is grateful for the many sponsors who have funded over half of the album expenses, though they are still fundraising. You can learn more about the album, and contribute, here!
🕕When is it, and how do I register?
Thursday, August 7 at 7:3oPM sharp at KI. Doors at 6:45PM. To register, simply click here!
Are there any guest musicians?
Yes! Meet them below.
Richie Barshay: Percussion
Richie Barshay began drumming inside kitchen cabinets at an early age, and continues banging on things worldwide to this day. From his multi-percussion work with Herbie Hancock in the 2000s, to tours and recordings with Chick Corea, Esperanza Spalding, The Klezmatics, Fred Hersch, and Kenny Werner, he’s been dubbed “a major rhythm voice on the rise” by Downbeat magazine, and “a major innovator who also knows how to have fun” by The Guardian (UK). He’s also performed with Natalie Merchant, Bobby McFerrin, Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz, Donald Harrison, Lionel Loueke, Julian Lage, the Curtis Brothers, Joey Weisenberg, Gabriel Kahane, Pete Seeger, and the Tony Award winning musical The Band’s Visit on Broadway and national tour. Since 2004 he’s traveled across 5 continents teaching and performing as an American Musical Envoy with the U.S. State Department, and can be heard on over 100 recordings including two self-produced albums: Sanctuary, featuring Chick Corea (2014) and Homework, featuring Herbie Hancock (2004). Based in Northampton, Massachusetts and New York City, he is an AmSAT certified Alexander Technique teacher helping performing artists and others regain more body-mind coordination and ease of movement.
Yoni Avi Battat: Oud
Yoni Avi Battat brings Arab music into the soundscape of American Jewish life through composition, education, prayer, and performance on viola, violin, oud, and vocals. His debut album Fragments seeks to find new pathways to connect with ancestry and find healing around our fragmented identities. Yoni’s newest project, Kedmah, recently released their first album of Mizrahi Piyyutim (Middle Eastern Jewish liturgical music), entitled Simu Lev. From 2021-2022 Yoni toured nationally as an actor and violinist with the Tony Award-winning musical, “The Band’s Visit.”
Kirsten Lamb: Upright Bass
Kirsten Lamb is an award-winning double bassist, vocalist, performing with many notable musicians including Itzhak Perlman, John Zorn, Theodore Bikel, Andy Statman, Celtic Woman, and Gil Scott-Heron’s Midnight Band. She is the bassist and lead vocalist with the internationally-renowned Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band, with whom she won multiple awards at the International Jewish Music Festival (NL) and was a featured soloist with the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra (DK).
Itay Dayan: Clarinet
Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Israeli clarinetist Itay Dayan is considered one of today’s most promising voices in klezmer music. With his broad attitude, Itay brings together various influences, creating a sound that cherishes tradition while exploring new musical frontiers.His album, “Hoffman’s Farewell”, demonstrates that direction exactly, and was recently chosen by WBUR as one of the best local albums of 2024. Itay played with various groups such as the Klezmer Conservatory Band, Meitar Ensemble and the Israel Klezmer Orchestra, with which he has toured internationally.
Mayta Cohen: Song-leader and Composer
Mayta Cohen is a national award winning vocal arranger, song-leader, composer, and vocalist from Boston, MA with a deep passion for infusing Jewish music with vocal harmony. Breaking new ground for women in Jewish music, Mayta is the first female arranger for both The Maccabeats and Six13 and founded the national award winning Jewish a cappella group BerKalit, formed at Berklee College of Music. While touring the country with her ensemble, Mayta’s innovative arrangements have garnered her accolades from the likes of ASMAC, Varsity Vocals, The American Conference of Cantors, and Jewish Rock Radio.
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