Israeli saxophonist, Uri Gurvich will perform with his quartet at the 36th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park on Monday (5 PM, International Stage). Beginning on Saturday, May 25, AJF features music from some of today’s most vibrant and innovative artists like José James, Meshell Ndegeocello, Julie Dexter, Rio Negro, Alexandra Jackson, and Tia Fuller.  National and international musicians will perform on two stages over the weekend and admission to the festival is FREE.

* Born and raised in Israel, Uri Gurvich won the Jazz Player of the Year competition in Israel before relocating to Boston to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music studying under Joe Lovano. He has played at prestigious jazz festivals and venues in Europe, Japan and the US, including Lincoln Center and the Blue Note. Gurvich is an indemand saxophonist who won also acclaim as a leader with his debut, The Storyteller, which was released on John Zorn’s label – TZADIK records and features some of the most prominent voices on the contemporary New York jazz scene. The music places Israeli, Yemenite, East European and North African music into a progressive jazz context. In April 2013 Uri will release his second album for TZADIK records, BabEl, featuring his long time touring quartet and special guest multi-instrumentalist from Morocco, Brahim Fribgane on Oud and Percussion. The group will celebrate their release in a weeklong engagement at the downtown iconic venue The Stone and will follow with a U.S. tour.

Here’s the second part of our season in review, which details every AJMF event in the first half of 2013.

- On January 30, AJMF teamed up with AJFF for the Opening Night of their 13th Annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Prior to the screening of “Hava Nagila (The Movie),” attendees enjoyed live music provided by local groups 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra and Klezmer Local 42. (1/30/2013, 1500 people)

- AJMF’s second Teen Open Mic of the year took place at Steve’s Live Music on February 24. Hosted by No Komment, this event featured bands, soloists and duets performing for families and friends in Sandy Spring’s hottest live music venue. (2/24/13, 50 people)

- The Southeastern premiere of Sacred Rights, Sacred Song debuted at Temple Sinai on March 10. Featuring local musicians, including a full chorus, soloists and orchestra, this concert spotlights the serious issues that exist in Israel as a result of the tension between Jewish law as applied in the public sphere and core democratic values. (3/10/13, 125 people)

- Appromixately 1200 Jewish and music lovers celebrated the 4th-annual, multi-day Spring Festival throughout the Greater Atlanta area. Attendees enjoyed innovative and progressive Jazz at Steve’s Live Music; a unique, sacred worship experience between Congregation Bet Haverim and Ahavath Achim Synagogue; a family program for children age 2-7 and their parents at Temple Sinai; and a lively, well-attended Main Event featuring national/international openers and Grammy-nomiated headliner Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories. (3/14-16/13, 1200 people)

- Boston-based Klezmer group Ezekial’s Wheels came through Atlanta on their Southern tour and played a concert at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. AJMF supported this event by marketing it to our networks, ensuring a lively celebration of contemporary Klezmer music that attracted Jews of all ages and backgrounds. (4/13/13, 100 people)

- AJMF’s third and final Teen Open Mic of the year took place at Steve’s Live Music on April  21. Hosted by The Spoken Word, this event featured bands, soloists and duets performing for families and friends in Sandy Spring’s hottest live music venue. (4/21/13, 50 people)

It’s been an incredible fourth season (2012-2013) producing Fresh Jewish Music experiences for approximately 4,000 Jewish and world music lovers throughout the Greater Atlanta area. We’re delighted to share the first part of our season in review, which details every AJMF event in the second half of 2012.

- One week before the High Holydays, AJMF collaborated with Open Jewish Project and eight congregation partners to create a music-filled service and Shabbat dinner at Chastain park (9/7/12). This event was the culmination of the summer’s Shul Shopping Atlanta program and provided an opportunity for community members to connect to host synagogues before the High Holydays. (60 people)

- At the end of the High Holydays, fans of live folk music enjoyed a Kenney Blackmon String Band performance that followed a Yom Kippur Break Fast at Steve’s Live Music (9/26/12). Attendees from Athens, Sandy Springs and the Greater Atlanta area connected to rare folk songs and original compositions while celebrating the end of Yom Kippur. (40 people)

- In its third year, Sukkah ATL is a Atlanta’s only public-space sukkah that served Atlantans wanting to engage in the mitzvah of celebrating Sukkot by eating in the sukkah and blessing the lulav and etrog. AJMF, several organizations and dozens of volunteers helped create the sukkah and develop programs for its use. (9/30/12, 50 people)

- Local artist and 2011 AJMF Songwriting Contest winner, Aviva visited Jewish Kids Groups (JKG, 10/28/12) for a morning of singing, dancing, playing games, learning and more. Aviva’s engagement with JKG continued a multi-year collaboration that has featured artists in residence Axum, Bria Kam, Kosha Dillz and Ariel Root Wolpe. At the end of the morning, we facilitated a concert for Jewish Kids Groupies, parents and grandparents. (100 people)

- In late October and early November (10/29-11/4), AJMF and Temple Sinai partnered to connect Atlanta’s Jewish and music communities to Ladino singer/songwriter Guy Mendilow. His ensemble presented “Tales of the Forgotten Kingdom: Ladino Songs Renewed,” the name of Guy’s new album and a metaphor for Sephardi culture and tradition. Over 1,000 Atlantans engaged with Mendilow, including children at the MJCCA, college students at Emory and Georgia Tech, and musicians of all ages at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. He had 10 appearances in Atlanta that included sacred services, artist workshops, full ensemble concerts, lecture demonstrations and media connections. (1050 people)

- Teens from around Atlanta joined host Jake Steel and performed as a solo artist or group act at our Fall 2012 Teen Open Mic. Co-sponsored by BBYO and the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA), this musical experience attracted fans and family members supporting all styles of music. (12/3/12, 50 people)

- AJMF supported three Hanukkah parties at the end of the year: MJCCA’s Vodka and Latkes, PunkTorah’s Southern Fried Hanukkah MELTDOWN and ACCESS to Celebrations. Young Jews from all over the Greater Atlanta area connected to their Jewish identity through the holiday tradition and the communities we created. (12/13, 14 and 16/2012, 225 people total)

- In late December, Aviva released her first album with her band mates the Flying Penguins. Created with the support of an AJMF subsidy, “Painted Truth” debuted to a packed house at Steve’s Live Music. (12/21/2012, 125 people)

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, Camp Jam is offering a discount to new campers from the AJMF network.* Kids and teens will meet throughout the month of June this summer to connect with other young musicians and learn from the pros. Act now to reserve your spot AND discount (use special code ‘jmf’).

What: Camp Jam

When: Throughout the month of June, click here for camp calendar

Where: GA Tech Harrison Building (660 Williams St NW, Atlanta 30332)

* Offer valid for new registrants only before May 30.

The Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast will mark Israel’s 65^th Independence Day with a community wide concert featuring internationally acclaimed vocalist David D’Or. Also known as the “Voice from Heaven,” D’Or will be travelling to Atlanta just a few weeks after performing for President Barack Obama in Israel.

“We are proud to be able to bring here to Atlanta one of the world’s top vocalists in celebration of our Independence Day, “said Opher Aviran, Consul General of Israel. “We invite the entire Atlanta community to join us for this amazing event.”

 What: Israel’s 65^th Independence Day celebration concert featuring David D’Or

When: Sunday, April 28^th at 8:00pm

Where: The Temple (1589 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta 30309)

BUY TICKET(S)

WATCH DAVID D’OR

On Thursday June 6, AJMF Director Russell Gottschalk and 6 other Jewish social entrepreneurs will be pitching their non-profit ventures to the Atlanta Jewish community and a panel of distinguished “Sharks,” including Bernie Marcus (Co-founder of Home Depot), Laurie Ann Goldman (CEO of Spanx) and Michael Kogon (CEO & Founder of Definition 6).

Come out and support AJMF by attending
this premiere event, the first of its kind in Atlanta.

WHAT: ProteJ Shark Tank

When: Thurs June 6 (6:30-9:00 PM)

Where: The Selig Center, 1440 Spring St Atlanta 30309

Who: Patrick Aleph, Rachael Bregman, Ana Fuchs, Russell Gottschalk, Adam Griff, Marcy Levinson-Brooks, Chaim Neiditch

Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door, apps and drinks will be served

BUY YOUR TICKET(S) TODAY!!

Winners at the 2012 International Jewish Music Festival (Best Klezmer Band and Audience Choice), Ezekiel’s Wheels have begun their East Coast tour and will play Atlanta on Saturday, April 13 at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. Attendees can expect incredible musicianship, timeless melodies, beer and pizza. Tickets are $20 at the door ($10 for students) and this event is open to the public, even non-Jews.

What: Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band

Where: Ahavath Achim Synagogue (600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW 30327)

When: Saturday April 13, 9 PM

Please take our post event, online survey to let us know we did at our 4th Annual AJMF. One respondent will win a FREE festival poster!

TAKE SURVEY

Thank you!

Thank you for supporting our 4th Annual AJMF and making it the biggest AJMF ever, with approximately 1,200 attendees!

Remember these hits from the Main Event?
How ’bout these fun songs from the Family Program?
Or these jams from the Jazz Night?

Oh, you’re more of a visual person. Check out these great photos from Jazz Night, Family Program and the Main Event.

Stay tuned for a full recap of our 4th season and plans for year 5. Thank you again for supporting Fresh Jewish Music in Atlanta.