Forget about the Jewish nouveau/pseudo-cool music acts that drive the 20-something Jewish hipsters gaga these days (sorry “Kosha Dillz…”) For my money, the greatest Jewish musician alive is virtuoso bluegrass/klezmer/folk mandolin/clarinet player Andy Statman.
In a recent article in the Jerusalem Post, Samuel Freedman called Statman “one of the most important Jewish creative artists of the postwar era.” As a die-hard Statman fan for years, I will say without hesitation that Freedman is not engaging in mere hyperbole. He’s the real deal: an uncompromising musician who follows his artistic/spiritual muse into surprising and often transcendent territory. (Listen to Statman and David Grisman interpret “Mim’komkha” on their recent CD “New Shabbos Waltz” and you will understand what I mean.)
Those in the know will attest that the best kept musical secret in NYC is Statman’s standing gig at the Greenwich Village Synagogue on St. Charles St. If you aren’t able to make it to New York any time soon, click on the video above for a taste.
Brant:
I agree about Andy Statman–but how ’bout that bass player? Who is that?
the bass player is Jim Whitey and they also play with a guy on drums called Larry Eagle. i had the fortune of playing with Andy in Charles St – he’s a sound lad, and one of the best musicians i have ever seen play. he inspired the band im in at the moment – The North Strand Klezmer Band (www.myspace.com/thenorthstrandklezmerband)…we’re not jewish, but we love the music.