Temple Israel of Natick Presents Jewish World Music Coffeehouse

Temple Israel of Natick will present Café Achshav, a Jewish World Music Coffeehouse from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 27. The evening will include Jewish vocal and instrumental music from around the world, including klezmer, jazz, Ladino, Yiddish and Israeli music.  

Hankus Netsky and Jessica Kate Meyer will be the featured performers, and Cantor Ken Richmond, Shira Shazeer, Henry Shapiro and Lisa Avery-Peck will also add to the mix.

Hankus Netsky has a PhD in ethnomusicology, and founded the Klezmer Conservatory Band 30 years ago. Since then, he has been a prime forces behind today’s klezmer revival. In his role of head of the jazz department at the New England Conservatory, Hankus has taught and been a musical inspiration to thousands of students. Currently, he is working to preserve songs and stories from elderly musicians. He has also produced over a dozen CD’s and composed and arranged music for film scores, theater, and TV specials.

Jessica Kate Meyer, an actress, is best known for her appearance beside Adrian Brody in the movie The Pianist. She has devoted herself to passing on Jewish traditions. After moving from England to attend Hebrew College, initially as a cantorial student, she is now in the rabbinical school. “In addition to playing violin and flute, she is a wonderful vocalist and, alongside Hankus Netsky, has developed an eclectic program of Jewish music from around the world,” according to the Temple’s press release.

Andrew Blickenderfer is educated at Juilliard, New England Conservatory, and Brandeis. The Bassist and multi-instrumentalist “has made noise with a ensembles for CDs, radio/TV webcasts, film, clubs, and concert halls across North America.” He has been dubbed a “string wizard” by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and he plays with the Boston-based groups Third I, Fine Foreign Film, Andromeda4, and Luna Nova.

Becky Wexler is a cantorial student at Hebrew College, and hold holds a BA in music and religious studies from Macalester College, a certificate of study from the Zoltán Kodály Institute in Kesckemét, Hungary, and a MA in religion from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. “An active klezmer clarinetist, Becky has received acclaim for her technical mastery, warm tone, and unique use of vibrato.” She plays with Klezwoods, Jessica Kate Meyer, the Zamir Chorale In the greater Boston area, and with the Shabbat Chai Band at Temple Emanu-El in Providence, RI.

Yaeko Miranda Elmaleh received a Bachelors in music in Contemporary Improvisation from the New England Conservatory, where she studied with Hankus Netsky. She has performed at Avery Fischer Hall and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Currently Yaeko plays with the Klezmer Conservatory Band, Klezmer and Beyond, and in her own duo with guitarist/mandolinist Brandon Seabrook.

Henry Shapiro studied jazz performance and arranging at the Berklee School of Music, and has been a musician, a band leader, and a composer for over 20 years. Alongside working with his band Swing Fever, he has played traditional American, Bluegrass, Calypso, Latin, Hasidic, and English Country Dance music. He is the leader of the klezmer ensemble Steel City Klezmorim. Henry is currently in the Cantor/Educator Program at Hebrew College in Newton.

Temple Israel of Natick is located at 145 Hartford Street in Natick. Call 508-650-3521, by March 24, 2011, to purchase tickets or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. Ticket/sponsorship information is available at www.tiofnatick.org.

The event is open to the public. Tickets for adults are $18.00, and for youth ages 5 to 17, tickets are $6.00. Tickets will also be available at the door, space permitting. Espresso, cappuccino and other delectable treats will also be available.