Beyond Borders: Hartzedike-Lider ("Heartsongs")

Hartzedike-Lider ("Heartsongs") brings together well-loved Yiddish songs with original stories of Jewish Canadians, by turns entertaining and poignant. Because the stories are universal in nature, and the performers weave English into the songs, Hartzedike-Lider can be fully appreciated by diverse audiences. Allan and Brian feel that it is possible to respect traditional Yiddish music while at the same time allowing the tradition to expand. For the last few years they have been experimenting with the Yiddish gems, “bluesing,” reharmonizing, changing the forms and using expanded vocal techniques, to find new riches in the music.

 

Hartzedike-lider presented at the Ashkenaz Festival during the pandemic. The special guest for this show was multiple Juno award winner, Grammy nominee, Jane Bunnett.

 

About The Artists

Brian Katz is an internationally renowned guitarist, pianist, composer, and educator with a deep-rooted passion for Jewish music. He has collaborated with prominent klezmer artists such as Martin van de Ven, Jonno Lightstone, Michael Alpert, and Lenka Lichtenberg, as well as esteemed jazz and world-beat musicians, including Jane Bunnett and Barry Harris. His captivating performances and intricate storytelling through music have drawn praise from critics and audiences alike, with European music critic Alexander Schmitz lauding his solo guitar recording, Leaves Will Speak, as music that truly "speaks."

As an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto and York University, Brian shares his expertise in music performance and education, with a particular focus on teaching klezmer music. His dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians ensures the continuation of this rich musical tradition. Discover more about Brian Katz and his enchanting music at www.briankatz.com.

Allan Merovitz is an award-winning singer and actor and one of this country's finest Yiddish vocalists. He is a former Juno nominee and a Dora-winning actor and writer. He has toured North America and Europe with The Flying Bulgar Klezmer band, Dutch group Ot Azoy and the Calgary groups KlezMerovitz and The Black Sea. His one man klezmer musical show, If Cows Could Fly, has been presented at Toronto's Ashkenaz Festival and at the Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa. 

Frank Rackow is a multifaceted artist known for his expertise as an educator, performer, artistic director, and programmer. As a skilled saxophonist and clarinetist, Frank has graced stages at festivals and clubs throughout Canada, sharing his talents with jazz and world music enthusiasts. He is the founding conductor of Vocal Latitudes, a community choir based in Calgary, as well as the Calgary Jewish Community Centre Community Klezmer orchestra. He leads the klezmer group, The Black Sea, featuring the Juno-nominated vocalist Allan Merovitz. Frank has also been involved in a unique project that blends Middle Eastern instruments and melodies with Western sounds, working alongside Syrian, Iranian, and Turkish musicians. His festival appearances include the Calgary Folk Music Festival, Calgary Jazz Festival, Sled Island, the Vancouver and Victoria Jazz Festivals, the Port Hope All-Canadian Jazz fest and many others.