[HANASHIR:12591] Craig Taubman's Hallelu Concert

[jbielan <jbielan...>]

In case you haven't heard, Craig Taubman created contemporary Jewish musical 
history in Los Angeles this past Sunday. He produced an absolutely outstanding 
presentation at the Universal Ampitheatre, attended by an audience in excess of 
5,000 utterly elated members.

Included in the roster of onstage artists and speakers onstage were Theodore 
Bikel, Sam Glaser, Danny Mesang, Rick Recht, Debbie Friedman, Alan Eder, a 
large choir of Cantors, Neshama Carlebach, Melissa Manchester, The Los Angeles 
Zimriyah Chorale, The Keshet Chaim Dancers - and others whose names most of you 
would no doubt recognize.

I have been in the music industry most of my life, and like many of you, I tend 
to view all productions with a critical eye... and Sunday these eyes saw an 
exemplary concert of music for Jews - by Jews - in a distinguished venue known 
primarily for secular concerts by established stars.  For reference: the MTV 
Video Awards are often held at the Universal Ampitheatre.

What a wild experience to view the enthusiastic faces of a choir of 
distinguished cantors and projected onto two huge video screens on either side 
of the stage - screens normally reserved for the likes of Smashmouth and 
Enrique Iglesias.  

What a feeling to watch a beautifully constructed video on those same screens 
of Jews from all walks of life talking about what "synagogue" means to them.  

What a rush to hear some of the standard-bearers of contemporary Jewish music 
being amplified over a state-of-the-art sound system.

What a thrill to be in an audience of 5,000 of our own from all over the 
Southern California area and beyond - singing and dancing and celebrating - 
making a collective public declaration in these challenging times:
"I am a Jew - and I'm damn proud of it".

What a joy to watch a statement of the relevance of contemporary Jewish music.

The musicianship of the house band, led by our friend Chris Hardin - assistant 
Musical Director of Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue in Encino - was superlative. 
They were sublimely sensitive when they needed to be... and grooved like 
nobody's business when the music called for it.  

The pacing of the show was exquisite.  One after another, distinguished 
performers segued into each other - 
often selflessly performing only one song - in order to guarantee the greater 
musical and spiritual good.  From my vantage point, it certainly looked like 
all the performers got it: onstage egos were definitely checked at the door.

I'm guessing there must've been some video cameras recording this historic 
event.  My personal recommendation: if you can get a copy of the resulting 
recording at some time in the near future - go for it.  

Congratulations to Craig and those who helped him.  The results of all your 
Herculean efforts and dedication were thoroughly in evidence.  You were 
brilliant - and in the process, you achieved what all of us in the arts strive 
for: you moved people.  

A whole lot of them.

"Yay" for you, Craig.  "Yay" for everyone involved.

And "yay" for Jewish music... contemporary and otherwise.