The Spirit of Sepharad

Gerard Edery - vocals, guitar
Amir Vahab - vocals, saz, percussion
Glen Velez - percussion
Ara Dinkjian - oud
Barbara Martinez - dancer, vocals

A soul-stirring program, The Spirit of Sepharad traces the unique migration of the Sephardim from medieval Spain, across North Africa, to the Middle East and beyond. Combining music, dance, narration and illuminating projections, this dynamic mixed-media performance brings to life all the rich cultural strains of the Sephardic diaspora. Featuring an array of virtuoso musicians from multiple disciplines, The Spirit of Sepharad includes songs and instrumental music of secular and liturgical origin from Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Greece, Syria, Turkey, Ancient Persia, The Balkans, Israel and Kurdistan (then, as now, part of Iran, Turkey and Iraq). This is the story of a rich cultural heritage that invites the possibility of coexistence, tolerance, respect and peace among all peoples.

New from The Spirit of Sepharad!

About this video:
"Gerard Edery - vocals, guitar
Amir Vahab - vocals, saz, percussion
Glen Velez - percussion
Ara Dinkjian - oud
Barbara Martinez - dancer, vocals

A soul-stirring program, The Spirit of Sepharad traces the unique migration of the Sephardim from medieval Spain, across North Africa, to the Middle East and beyond. Combining music, dance, narration and illuminating projections, this dynamic mixed-media performance brings to life all the rich cultural strains of the Sephardic diaspora. Featuring an array of virtuoso musicians from multiple disciplines, The Spirit of Sepharad includes songs and instrumental music of secular and liturgical origin from Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Greece, Syria, Turkey, Ancient Persia, The Balkans, Israel and Kurdistan (then, as now, part of Iran, Turkey and Iraq). This is the story of a rich cultural heritage that invites the possibility of coexistence, tolerance, respect and peace among all peoples."

Gerard Edery and "The Spirit of Sepharad" return to the Museum of Jewish Heritage, NYC!

May 26, 2010 7 PM
Gerard Edery leads Caravan Ensemble in “The Spirit of Sepharad”
The Museum of Jewish Heritage
EDMOND J. SAFRA PLAZA
36 BATTERY PLACE, NEW YORK, NY

TICKETS: Click Here

Phone: (646) 437-4202
MAP: Click Here.

Dear Fans of Spirit of Sepharad,

Two years ago my Caravan Ensemble premiered the "The Spirit of Sepharad" at the Museum of Jewish Heritage to a sell-out crowd. This multi-media show was so well received that we are bringing it back to the museum on Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 at 7:00PM.

As good as the show was, it has undergone some revisions which make it even better. My virtuoso ensemble is still in place with oud master Ara Dinkjian, dancer and vocalist Barbara Martinez, Persian singer, percussionist, and saz player Amir Vahab, virtuoso percussionist Glen Velez and myself on flamenco guitar and vocals.

My sister, Brigitte Edery, has added gorgeous new paintings to the videography, including maps that help us to tell the story. My co-creator and director Vivienne Roumani-Denn has refined the narration and revealed new dimensions to the Sephardic experience. Some new songs have also been added.

These revisions were made in a very organic way and as the result of many performances throughout the United States and Europe, which gave us a clear sense of how to improve the show.

An acting teacher I studied with many years ago, Richard Shechner, said that artists are liminal beings, always in transition and in process. So it is with Spirit of Sepharad, a show that keeps evolving and revealing new and exciting dimensions of the Sephardic experience.

Come join us for an uplifting evening of song, dance, poetry and visual art.

Thank you all for your support.

Gerard

Gerard Edery and Guests perform at Congregation Beth Emeth, April 17th, 2010 at 7:30 PM

I am so happy to be returning to Congregation Beth Emeth, in Wilmington, Delaware, where my friend and colleague Mark Stanton is Cantor. We met at AJR (Academy for Jewish Religion).

A real mensch with a heart and voice of gold, Mark is that rare Hazzan with the whole package. His rich bass voice is of a quality that opera houses yearn for. His musicality enhances the Liturgy and while at AJR I really loved listening to him sing! Click Here for more information about Cantor Mark Stanton.

My ensemble and I are very much looking forward to performing "Treasures of World Song" for this wonderful congregation's Benefit in Wilmington, on April 17, which also happens to be my birthday. Donations from this event will help to buy an organ for Congregation Beth Emeth! We'll be presenting songs and instrumental music from Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba, Spain, Turkey, Morocco, France, The Balkans and Greece. I will be accompanied by two incredible virtuosos, Meg Okura on Violin and Erhu (Chinese fiddle) and Sean Kupisz on Electric Bass and Cajon. I also hope to convince Mark to join me on a few numbers. It promises to be a very exciting concert. See you there!

April 17, 2010 7:30 PM

Gerard Edery and Guests perform "Treasures of World Song"

Congregation Beth Emeth Benefit!

300 W. Lea Boulevard

Wilmington, DE 19802

Click Here for more information about this event!

Need directions? Click Here.

Gerard Edery and Guests perform at Congregation Beth Emeth, Wilmington, DE, April 17th, 2010 at 7:30 PM

I am so happy to be returning to Congregation Beth Emeth, in Wilmington, Delaware, where my friend and colleague Mark Stanton is Cantor. We met at AJR, the Academy for Jewish Religion.

A real mensch with a heart and voice of gold, Mark is that rare Hazzan with the whole package. His rich bass voice is of a quality that opera houses yearn for. His musicality enhances the Liturgy and while at AJR I really loved listening to him sing! Click Here for more information about Cantor Mark Stanton.

My ensemble and I are very much looking forward to performing "Treasures of World Song" for this wonderful congregation's Benefit in Wilmington, on April 17, which also happens to be my birthday. Donations from this event will help to buy an organ for Congregation Beth Emeth! We'll be presenting songs and instrumental music from Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba, Spain, Turkey, Morocco, France, The Balkans and Greece. I will be accompanied by two incredible virtuosos, Meg Okura on Violin and Erhu, and Sean Kupisz on Electric Bass and Cajon. I also hope to convince Mark to join me on a few numbers. It promises to be a very exciting concert. See you there!

April 17, 2010 7:30 PM

Gerard Edery and Guests perform "Treasures of World Song"
Congregation Beth Emeth Benefit!

300 W. Lea Boulevard
Wilmington, DE 19802
Click Here for more information about this event!
Need directions? Click Here.

Benefit Concert

I have been proudly associated with The Village Temple on West 12th Street in Lower Manhattan for 9 years. My dear friend and colleague, Rabbi Chava Koster, heard me at a concert at The Center for Jewish History and invited me to do a concert at The Village Temple, then occasional services and finally to co-lead High Holiday Services with her at Cooper-Union. The hall is rented yearly for Yamim Noraim as their own sanctuary is too small to accommodate the 1500 to 2000 people who attend services. It was 2001 and just a month after 9/11. You can imagine the intense emotions, the grief and loss of all those present after the tragic events of that day. During the afternoon memorial service, following a reading of all the names of deceased congregants, family and friends, I sang the El Male Rachamim (prayer for the departed) and could barely keep the tears out of my voice. Since then, I have been invited back yearly as Cantorial Soloist for their High Holiday Services.

I feel deeply connected to this wonderful and caring community and it is with gratitude that I offer this special benefit concert and all its proceeds to The Village Temple. Even in the midst of this awful recession, with many congregants unable to pay their yearly dues, Rabbi Koster has made sure that no one is turned away and that help be provided to those in greatest need. This is true religion. Actions, not words and posturing. I am proud and honored to be a part of The Village Temple. I hope you will attend the concert and lend your support to this very special center of worship and good works.

Benefit Concert for The Village Temple in NYC on March 7th, 2010 2:30-4:30PM at The City Winery, 155 Varick St. (at Van Dam St.) 212-674-2340 TREASURES OF WORLD SONG with singer/guitarist GERARD EDERY and SURPRISE GUESTS!

“Treasures of World Song” traces the surprising and exotic musical synergies to be found in some of the world’s great oral traditions. A diverse and fascinating program of folk and popular songs in some dozen languages from North and South America, France, Spain, England, Ireland, Greece, Turkey, Morocco and The Balkans, will tell a rich musical story and promote the cause of cross-cultural appreciation and understanding. Gerard Edery interprets this repertoire as a living legacy, combining stylistic authority with an immense creative and re-creative flair. From joyous hymns of celebration to poignant ballads of love, from flamenco-inspired pieces to holy works of praise, Gerard’s instrumental virtuosity, rich baritone and masterful arrangements will create an unforgettable musical experience.

"....a master of Sephardic Song...." NY Times