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Bonnie Abrams
Bonnie Abrams and Allen Hopkins perform acoustic folk music. Bonnie writes and sings new songs. A CD called A Sudenyu of Yiddish offers traditional and contemporary folk and theater songs in Yiddish.
http://dynrec.com/bonnieabrams/
Harriett Abrams
English. Composer and soprano. Born,(ca) 1758. Died, 1822.
Studied with Thomas Arne. Stage debut in October, 1775 in May Day as little gypsy. She appeared in London concerts, provincial festivals, and a series of Handel Commemoration concerts in 1784. Charles Burney praised "the sweetness and taste of her singing." Composed vocal works. She also wrote two- and three-part songs. Occasionally her sisters sang with her. Haydn presided at the
piano for her benefit concerts held in 1792, 1794 and 1795. She organized the Ladies Concerts, held in the private houses of their aristocratic lady directors, in the early 1790s. More information is available in the Norton/Grove's Dictionary of Women Composers.
Paulina Achkinaz-Shepherd
see: POLINA SHEPHERD
Tziona Achishena
American-born Israeli. Tziona Achishena provided this autobiographical sketch: "Tziona's Achishena's rich and soulful voice weaves its
way through her new disc, "Miriam's Drum", created in collaboration with
percussionist Shani Ben Canar. The album features original melodies to
ancient Hebrew prayers "received" through her intuitive musicianship, and
enlivened by world class percussion, transcendent harmonies, and inspired
vocal improvisation. The album's release marks the culmination of years
of musical and spiritual searching. Interestingly, this process began,
not through music training, but through dance. From early childhood to
her first years in college at Berkeley, Tziona spent much of her time in
the dance studio, studying all the major western dance forms from Ballet
to Modern dance. At home, however, she was singing; and experiencing
through her voice the beginnings of a sense of the revelation of soul.
Developing her vocal technique through private study and performing
throughout high school, Tziona was inspired by great woman musicians like
Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush and Laura Nyro; and dreamed of creating her own
songs. While living in Indonesia studying traditional Indonesian dance,
she learned how to play guitar and began a process of channeling the life
experience through creative writing and songs. A few years later she
encountered the improvisational music community in the San Francisco Bay
Area, picked up the cello and piano, and began to improvise. "The Future"
(1996), her first album, released under the name Zen Cohen, is a unique
combination of these singer songwriter roots, through the prism of free
improvisation. Cohen is a one-woman show who mixes folk singing, free
improvisation and Eastern tonalities with pointed social commentary and
raw poetry. Whether she is slashing away on an acoustic guitar, buzzing
with a cello, or gently rocking a lullaby on a piano, the edge of her
poetry-as-lyrics comes from sudden turns of phrase and plain speaking.
Option Magazine A chance encounter with a master of Persian classical
singing, Gholemhass Parishani, added yet another dimension to her music.
Seeing her with her cello on the streets of Berkeley, he asked her to
sing something for him. She sang a Javanese love song, and he began to
cry. With a bit of convincing, he took her on as a vocal student for the
next three years. Tziona's creative life continued to develop, as she
produced musical story theatres, studied Tai Chi and Sufi spinning, and
appeared as a cellist in the John Cage premier "Ocean". Connecting to her
Jewish roots, she began to compose simple, repetitive melodies for
ancient Hebrew prayers. Little did she guess the effect these melodies
would have on her future. She began to share them with spiritual Jewish
communities in the S.F. Bay area, and soon found herself leading large
chanting groups, finding that her songs seemed to have a powerfully
transformative effect on the participants. These melodies expressed the
essence of the prayers, with strong rhythms and eastern tonalities that
marked a break from the folk based traditions that had thus far been the
main influence in original American Jewish music. The creation of these
melodies is surprisingly simple; focusing the thoughts on the meaning of
the prayer, focusing the eyes on the shape of the letters, and opening
the heart, allowing the melody to be received. In 1999 she released the
album "Hebrew Chant", a two disc set that features "Shema Yisrael",
inspired by her work with patients at Mount Zion Medical center.
Observing the dry clinical environment in which many of the patients
ended their lives, she created the music as a passage between worlds. In
the Shema Yisrael CD& in addition to beautifully haunting overdubs by
Tziona, she is accompanied by exotic and rich Middle Eastern
instrumentation. As a student chaplain at San Francisco s Mt. Zion
hospital, she first began to compose and sing original melodies of the
Shema to help heal and comfort sick and dying patients. When she realized
the incredible power of Judaism s most ancient and central prayer, she
began making recordings that could also be used for midwives and birthing
mothers, welcoming new Jewish souls into the world. Dan Howard,
Nitzotzot "The Hebrew Book of Ascending" (1999), recorded with Paul
Godwin of the band Dogon and featuring percussion by Raz Mesinai (the
artist known as Badawi) is a dreamlike journey through the seven heavens
of the afterlife. The Flood (2000), recorded with sound designer James
LeBrecht, is a genre-crossing whirlwind of classic songwriting, cinematic
sound design, and powerful vocals, reaching into world music, pop and
electronica. In a unique merging of talents, Tziona s passionate and
searching compositions merge with LeBrecht s soundscapes and production
techniques. Eventually Tziona traveled to Israel to study Hebrew and
traditional Jewish prayer. There she experienced a powerful connection to
the Land of Israel, where she has since made her home. Since then she has
expanded her skills to include Buchari dance and drumming, the Perisian
santur, the Egyptian riq, and the Indian harmonium. She currently
performs for women throughout Israel, as well as teaching vocal technique
and improvisation, her method of songwriting, movement, Chi Kung, and
guided imagery. Most recently, Tziona released "Miriam's Drum" (2005),
which has been enthusiastically received by Jewish women all over the
world. "I have to mention how much joy was brought to my soul when I
listened to your music... With your melodies in my ears, and praises for
G-d, it lifted my spirits to know that the Jewish people still has spirit
! -Ida Lewis, Peacemaker Circle. "When I listen to your music I
definitely feel more connected to G-d and to my Judaism." Amy Suben
www.koltziona.com
Chava Alberstein: First Lady of Israeli Song
Website for Israeli musical superstar Chava Alberstein with brief biography, photos and discography.
http://www.aviv2.com/chava/
Ellen Allard
American. Jewish educator and songwriter, specializing in music for young children. Graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor's degree in Music. She earned her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education at Arcadia University. "Ellen began her formal piano studies at the age of five, studied flute through elementary and high school, and learned to play acoustic guitar while a student in college. After graduating with a degree in music education, she taught elementary vocal music, grades K - 6. Pursuing further graduate studies under the tutelage of renowned Orff teacher Joseph Wuytack, she brought a strong Orff component into her music teaching. The Orff method continues to be a significant influence on Ellen's teaching, performing, and songwriting." Together with husband Peter Allard, Ellen put together the Bring The Sabbath Home song book
http://www.peterandellen.com/
Yardena Alotin
Born, October 19, 1930 in Tel-Aviv, Israel. Composer, pianist and teacher. Studied at Tel-Aviv Music Teachers Seminary and at Israeli Academy of Music. Brief online biography available through the Israel Music Institute
http://www.aquanet.co.il/vip/imi/bios/alotin.htm
Angela Amato-Salerno
Violin Soloist, Chamber Musician and Leader of Professional Orchestras in Italy and UK, Ms. Amato is now dedicating much of her Research into Jewish Music Study, with major interest in the arrangements of traditional Italian and Askenazy Music. She performed in major National and International Festivals. Purcell Room debut 1994; Teatro Francesco Cilea debut 1996; Teatro Bellini debut 1989. Winner of National and International Music Awards. Recorded for Radio France, Radio Swisse Romande, BBC and Rai radio and TV. CD recordings include 28° and 29° Tibor Varga Festival, Sion, Switzerland. Plays a French violin 1780 Paris School. Contact: aulos@paipai.net
http://www.supportimusicali.it/musicisti/scheda.asp?n=Angela%20Amato
Lotti Amit-Kalev
Born 1934. nee Lotti Kalev. Pianist and composer living in Israel. Piano and harmony teacher. Graduated from the Rubin Music Academy in Tel Aviv in 1957. Music program editor in the 1950s at IDF radio station 'Galey Tzahal' in Tel Aviv. Compositions are listed at the Israeli Music Center: http://www.geocities.com/israelcomposers/works/amit.htm
http://www.geocities.com/israelcomposers/amit_kalev.htm
Chaya Arbel
Born in Nuremberg, Germany in 1921. Composer. Studied later in life with Leon Schidlowsky. Lives in Israel on Kibbutz Hamapil.
Works published by Israeli Music Center
Sarah Aroeste
American born. Sings in Ladino, music orginally from Spain, and her family later settling in Salonika, Greece. The Aroeste sound combines and updates aspects from her 'unique family background with influx of Latin-based music in America over the past few years.'
http://www.saraharoeste.com
Fran Avni
Canadian. Singer, Songwriter. Successful career in Israel with Susan Cogan, creating great Israeli standards. Children's songwriter. Successful career for over 20 years writing Jewish religious songs for children, including holiday songs and songs about Jewish life today.
http://www.franavni.com/
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