Sababa to Perform at KI February 5

Keneseth Israel invites the community to kick off Super Bowl Sunday with a participatory, energetic concert for all ages, by Sababa, Jewish music’s coolest folk rock trio, on Sunday, February 5, at 11 a.m.

“I can’t wait to bring our music to Jewish Louisville,” Sababa’s Cantor Robbi Sherwin says excitedly. “A vibrant community like Louisville is a great place to do a concert and we are hoping ‘babies to bubbies’ will come out, sing, participate, dance and have a great time!” Cantor Sharon Hordes, Cantor David Lipp and Shiela Steinman Wallace will be joining Sababa for two songs. Sherwin, Hordes and Wallace are members of the Women Cantors Network.

“We are thrilled to bring this musical ‘Supergroup’ of talented Jewish performers to Louisville” says Yael Melzer, KI programming co-chair. “They are a sought-after musical group, booked a year ahead.” A performance cancellation in Dayton afforded KI the opportunity to book them in less than a month. “Many thanks to Sam Gordon, on behalf of LBSY, and Shelley Kahn, on behalf of JFCS, who partnered with KI, to make this community event happen,” she said.

Sababa (“cool” in Israeli vernacular) is an energetic, spirited group composed of Steve Brodsky, Robbi Sherwin, and Scott Leader from Denver, Austin, and Phoenix, respectively. All three are successful and well-loved Jewish recording artists on their own; together their spirited Jewish song-crafting has them being touted as a Jewish “Crosby, Stills & Nash” or Jewish “Supergroup.”

“We’re a bit uncomfortable with that moniker,” says Sherwin. “We are just three great friends who love to make music together.”

 

Brodsky is a well-known contemporary Jewish recording artist and a founding member of the band, Mah Tovu, one of the first Jewish bands in this genre.

Robbi Sherwin, a cantor from Austin, is known for her legendary energy and her uncanny ability to sing harmony. Sherwin plays guitar, mandolin and percussion. From Tulsa to Tel Aviv, Sherwin’s music has been sung and recorded around the globe with all proceeds going to tzedakah.

Jewish music’s top up-and-coming young singer/songwriter is Phoenix’s Scott Leader, who is also one of the most respected record producers in Jewish music today. His first “language” is piano, but he is also a guitar virtuoso.

Sababa’s energetic, accessible, exciting and sensitive style really creates a holy community, where diverse religions truly seek to understand each other and appreciate their similarities. “We love building bridges and community through Jewish music,” Sherwin states. “We are all educators, as well, and we love what we do – especially together!”

Sababa’s debut CD, “Pray for the Peace,” (2007) has won international acclaim and awards, including one from Shalshelet, considered by many to be the “Jewish Grammys.” “Pray for the Peace” features tight harmonies, stellar production and catchy, accessible melodies and lyrics. Their new release, “It’s All Good,” boasts amazing diversity: a gospel choir, steel drums and songs in three languages.

A non-perishable food item or cash donation to the JFCS Food Pantry admits you to the event, which is sponsored by KI’s Esmin Weinberg Youth Program Fund.

To preview Sababa’s music, visit www.SababaMusic.com. For more information, call KI, 459-2780, or contact Yael Melzer, yaelmelzer@gmail.com.

Leave a Reply