Re: A Jewish Odyssey - Consuelo Luz

[Judy Ginsburgh <judy...>]

I have a CD titled Dezeo by Consuelo Luz which I purchased from her after a
concert a few years ago.  In the liner notes, it mentions that she was
raised Catholic in South America and Europe.  As far as I know she is not
Jewish, but can trace her roots back to the Sephardim who left Spain in the
1500's and sailed to Mexico and then to "Nuevo Mexico".  She mentions that
in the 1980's a Rabbi at a Jewish Chavurah in New Mexico approached her to
sing some ancient Jewish spiritual songs because she knew she sang in
Spanish.  The songs were in Ladino and Consuelo learned them and has shared
them at worship services and in concert.  She says that when she sang them
"something deep stirred inside me and in those who heard the songs.  This
was a powerful spiritual energy, hidden for centuries, yearning for
expression."

Judy :)

Judy Caplan Ginsburgh, Professional Singer
1999 Louisiana Professional Artist of the Year!
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Katie Marcus" <kmarcus (at) jccdet(dot)org>
To: "World music from a Jewish slant" <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2003 2:39 PM
Subject: A Jewish Odyssey


> I have a few questions about this cd, I was hoping some people could
> help me out...
>
> 1) This cd features Conseulo Luz, and Fortuna.  The notes on these
> singers describes how both women are extremely interested in Sephardic
> music and have released many albums in Ladino.  It mentions that
> Conseulo has a Jewish connection on her mother's side, but was raised
> Catholic, and it doesn't mention whether or not Fortuna is Jewish or has
> Jewish ancestry.  Does anyone know if these singers are in fact Jewish?
>
> 2)  Ofra Haza is also featured on this album.  On the liner notes to her
> song, it mentions that Yemenite Jewish music relies heavily on the
> voice, since "Muslims of the Arabian peninsula largely banned musical
> instruments."  I was under the impression that it was a Jewish custom of
> Yemen not to use instruments as a mark of mourning for the destruction
> of the Temple.  Drums, plates, jewelry,etc, were considered okay since
> they were not considered 'real' instruments.  Which is it?  Did Muslims
> or Jews ban the instruments, and for what reason?  Or was it a
> combination.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Katie Marcus
> Program Coordinator
> Jewish Life & Learning
> Jewish Community Center of Metro Detroit
> 6600 West Maple Road
> West Bloomfield, MI 48322
> (248) 432-5470
> (248) 432-5552 (FAX)
>
>
> ---------------------- jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org 
> ---------------------+
>