What: MAZEL! Yiddish Classics with a Backbeat
While honoring the strong musical traditions from which they came, MAZEL breathes new life into Yiddish classics through novel arrangements and re-stylings, primarily through Latin and jazz lenses. MAZEL is 10-time Grammy winner Janis Siegel (The Manhattan Transfer), Grammy-nominated pianist John di Martino, and Cantor Daniel Kramer, and featuring Boris Kozlov on bass.
When: Sunday, March 23rd. 4:00 p.m. reception, 5:00 p.m. show (Galleries are open and free before the event)
Where: The Breman Museum and Cultural Center
Cost: Member- $50, Non-Member- $60, (Includes pre-show reception)
Schedule: 4:00 p.m. Reception, 5:00 p.m. Program
Arrive early – Parking is free
Read Below for more about the performers!
Janis Siegel
Alongside her career as a founding member of the musical institutions – The Manhattan Transfer – Janis has sustained a solo career that has spanned more than a half dozen finely-crafted solo albums and numerous collaborative projects, amassed a large international fan base and garnered consistently high critical praise – nine Grammy awards and seventeen Grammy nominations. Over the years, Janis’ unmistakable voice has become a one of The Manhatten Transfer’s most recognizable trademarks. She sang lead on some of the Transfer’s biggest hits, such as Operator, Chanson D’Amour, Twilight Zone, Birdland, The Boy from NYC, Spice of Life, Rays’ Rockhouse, The Shaker Song, and Mystery. She also co-wrote and sang lead on the Grammy-winning Sassy. She’s also gained a reputation as a vocal arranger, writing five of the charts for the group’s acclaimed masterwork, Vocalese, seven charts for the group’s Grammy-winning album Brasil, and won a Grammy herself in 1980 for her arrangement of Birdland. These days you can find Janis in the places she loves most – the studio – producing and singing on Vocal Gumbo projects and – in the kitchen – whipping up some cooking delights. She is also an adjunct professor at NYU and continues to teach remotely.
Her tenth solo CD, released on Palmetto Records, is called NIghtSongs, and her three most recent solo collaborations are HONEY & AIR, a Brazilian / jazz vocal adventure with her group REQUINTE TRIO, along with percussionist / singer Nanny Assis and pianist John Di Martino; SOME OTHER TIME, a tribute to Leonard Berstein with trombonist / singers Nils Landgren with arrangements by Vince Mendoza; and this project, MAZEL.
John di Martino
John Di Martino is a composer arranger, jazz pianist, producer and educator based in New York City. He is described as a “shape shifter” for his creativity across musical genres. John composed music for the documentary series: “A Glimpse of Paradise” which aired on Europe’s Arte Channel. Mr. di Martino’s latest CD, prior to “Mazel” is the 2020 release: Passion Flower (the music of Billy Strayhorn) featuring Raul Midon, Eric Alexander, Boris Kozlov, and Lewis Nash. John has recorded numerous CDs on the High Note and Venus Records (Japan) labels as a leader, and with Freddy Cole, Gloria Lynn, Houston Person, and Nicki Parrott. John’s discography includes Grammy-nominated CDs: Love (Issac Delgado), Freddy Cole Sings Mr. B, and Live and in Clave (Bobby Sanabria).
John di Martino was a long-time member of Ray Barretto’s “New World Spirit.’ He is a featured arranger and pianist on many of Ray Barretto’s recordings in the Grammy-nominated CD Contact and Portraits in Jazz and Clave (featuring James Moody, Kenny Burrell, Joe Lovano, Steve Turre and Eddie Gomez).
Born in Philadelphia in 1959, John studied with Jimmy Amadie, Lennie Tristano and Don Sebesky.
Cantor Daniel Kramer
From a very early age, Cantor Daniel Kramer was inspired by and learned from then North Shore Jewish Center Cantor Martin Ehrlich z”l, and formed much of his participatory cantorial philosophy, informally, under the wing of Cantor Ehrlich. In addition to the early development of his liturgical interest, Daniel’s diverse musical interests were also budding as a young boy, enjoying the classic Long Island sounds of Billy Joel and taking a particular liking to The Manhattan Transfer, who Extensions record was released with Daniel was 2 years old. He wore out that record! At age 7, he was cast in the national tour of the Broadway musical Nine (though he turned it down to spend time with his soon-to-be-born sister). At age 13, he became the youngest person to lead parts of the High Holy Day services at NSJC, which he did until he graduated high school. During this time Daniel was selected as an All-State vocalist and began training under the tutelage of Ron Meixsell, a relationship that continues to this day.
The Breman reserves the right to photograph or videotape visitors for educational and promotional purposes. Museum visitation is implied consent for the use of the visitor’s likeness, voice, or video image for marketing purposes.
Security Protocols: For the protection of our speakers and guests, All visitors to The Breman are subject to security screening. To ensure the safety and security of our visitors and employees, firearms and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited inside the building. Service animals are welcome. Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted in the Museum.
Interested in series sponsorship options? Contact Lizzie Lack at Llack@thebreman.org
