Instructors: John Zorn and Anthony Coleman
What is Jewish music? Since its inception in 1992, the artists who created work under the banner of Radical Jewish Culture have asked this question, pushing the boundaries of how we think about and engage with Jewish cultural expression. To date, that questioning has grown into a body of work spanning over 200 CDs under John Zorn’s Tzadik label, redefining the role of Jewishness in music within contemporary culture.
In this three part series, join John Zorn and Anthony Coleman as they explore and reflect upon the origins, development, present, and future of Radical Jewish Music. Featuring live performances from Zorn, Coleman, and guest performers Steve Bernstein, Uri Caine, Jon Madof and others, the sessions will include listening and analysis of groundbreaking recordings, open-ended discussions, and Q&A. Participants will also be provided with supplementary listening and reading lists, compiled by Coleman and Zorn, to enhance the experience and facilitate the exploration of each week’s material.
What will be the future of Jewish music in the 21st century and beyond? How do we respond to the challenge of Gershom Scholem’s “treasure hunt within tradition,” that search for the New as we pull from the depths of culture and history? This series will go to the heart of these questions, exploring Jewish music as an art-form in a constant process of becoming.
Special Guests:
1/4 — Steve Bernstein and Uri Caine
1/11 — Jon Madof
1/18 — TBA