Something really cool happened this morning. We got an email on behalf of a Japanese journalists who is writing about klezmer music. He will actually be at some of the BJMF events. It turns out, there is a growing curiosity about klezmer music in Japan. Best of all, maybe my son will be able to translate the article when it comes out (May, tentatively) for his college Japanese course.  Isn’t it amazing how music can bring people together. Check it out this sample of Japanese Klezmer.  Maybe they’ll come to our next Klezmer Idol?

The web site is live. The tickets are on sale. The brochures will be going to the post office this week. And the Third Annual Boston Jewish Music Festival is up and running. Obviously, we’re incredibly excited about the range and quality of the programs that have been planned. And, of course, we hope you’ll buy lots of tickets to lots of events (notice we eliminated as many service fees as possible). But allow me a few moments to share some of the little personal moments that have touched me.

First, you should have seen Basya Schechter’s face when I told her she would be performing her Songs of Wonder program in a shul where Rabbi Heschel frequently spoke and his daughter still belongs. It was a wonderful combination of fear and excitement and pride. Her concert will be incredible. As will her Kabbalat Shabbat in Sudbury.

I’m also blown away by how many phone calls we’ve been getting about the Hadag Nahash concert at Johnny D’s and the Andy Statman/David Grisman Opening Night at Somerville Theater. David will also be doing a master class at Berklee School of Music while he is in Boston.  BJMF always tries to have our outr-of-town guests do something in the community besides their concerts. And most artists are all too happy to do so.

Lastly, I just want to tell you how much Jim and I appreciate all the kind words people offer us. So many people are so appreciative that Boston finally has a Jewish Music Festival. And not just any festival, BJMF is already considered a model of innovation, collaboration, and community building.  Your simple ‘thanks’ and ”this was so enjoyable’  mean so much to us. So get ready. Clear your calendars. And be sure to attend something wonderful at the 2012 Festival.

Flory and Gaston Video

People often (well at least sometimes) ask me what is my favorite memory from the first Boston Jewish Music Festival. This is definitely one of them (the headline above is a link to a video). In fact, it is the exact moment when Flory Jagoda bent her fingers to ask the audience to sing along.

Cantor Gaston Bogomolni has been a fan of Flory Jagoda’s since he was 16. He always hoped to be able to sing with her. And here it is. An 88 year young legend passing on her tradition to a 32 year old cantor and to everyone else in the audience. You’ve got to love it.

But there is more to come. We’ll be announcing the 2011 line up right after the start of the New Year. But I can assure you this, the program is even more  diverse and intriguing than last year’s. See you there.

Before September comes and I get totally wrapped up in fundraising and planning the 2011 festival, I wanted to share some of the music that has excited me this summer.

Lets start with Rob Rudin’s Half Jewish Project. I met Rob at his niece’s Bat Mitzvah where he told me about a musical suite he was working on in tribute to Joey Cornblit, one of the world’s greatest jai alai players and family friend. Joey’s life is the stuff of legend..with roots in Quebec, time spent in Miami, Basque Spain, and even a stint in Israel. Between segments, Rob’s dad showed photos and told stories about Joey. With a little more refinement, this program should really be recorded and shared with music lovers across the country.

Klezwoods is another local band worthy of attention. I saw them at Johnny D’s in Somerville and they were FABULOUS. A butt-kicking rhythm section, great soloists, and a really intriguing mix of pop and klezmer sensibilities. I hear they have a CD coming out in the fall. Trust me, see them if you have the chance.

Then, last week, I got to hear Frank London’s Brass All Stars at the MFA. It was SMOKING! Frank has such beautiful tone and is such an innovative arranger and just an inspiringly eclectic guy. While we can’t reveal the details, we are planning a fascinating project with Frank for the 2011 Festival. If you want to experience how innovation and tradition can combine to create inspiration, plan on being at Berklee Performance Center on March 12. Details will be revealed this fall.

Lastly, I must give some praise to a CD that I just can’t get off my mind or out of my player: The Kohane of Newark. Picture a Leonard Cohen playing with Lou Reed and you’ll get a sense of what this sounds like. The lyrics are amazing, The arrangements really stripped down rock. Then again, maybe a song called New Mid-Life Crisis is just what I’ve been waiting for. If you like literary, smart rock with a New York edge, check it out.

Well, that’s my Jewish music summer seen and scene. On August 31, it’s back to Johnny D’s for Alan Bern’s Other European’s Project featuring Klezmer and Roma musicians. Should be simply fabu!

Hope you’re having a great summer. Let us know what you’ve been listening to. And be forewarned; the Second Annual BJMF is shaping up to be even better that the first!