Welcome to the 2008 Jewish Music Festival

EVENT: Israel @ 60

Thu, Mar 27, 2008 at 8:30 PM

Listen to Miki

Order tickets online now for Israel @ 60

St. John’s Presbyterian Church
2727 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705

TICKETS: $20 members, students and seniors; $24 non-members

Israeli master percussionist Chen Zimbalista and Friends

“Totally charismatic . . . able to ignite everybody around him and makes every percussion instrument he touched sing…a rich acoustic experience that celebrates artistic freedom and open sound of life.” — Jerusalem Post

Israeli percussionist Chen Zimbalista has dazzled audiences around the world with an enchanting array of rhythmic sounds that he cajoles from more than forty instruments, played with his lightening quick hands, some of them at the same time. His music – a euphonious blend of pulses and beats – defies classification. A true feast for the senses, his programs are taken from classical, blues, jazz and occasionally rock idioms.

To celebrate Israel’s 60th birthday, Chen will focus the night’s energy on contemporary Israeli composers with pieces by Weisenberg, Shemer, Gronich and a few of his own. The program will also feature pieces by Gershwin, Bloch and Sichon.

Chen’s vibrant marimba will be augmented by percussionist Katja Cooper and Argentine pianist Josè Gallardo. Cooper is Bay Area based and has played throughout the middle east and played with a host of international artists. Gallardo is currently an assistant professor at the University of Mainz, Germany who has performed in Europe, North America, South America and Asia.

Performer bios:

• Chen Zimbalista
• José Gallardo
• Katja Cooper

The Jewish Music Festival is a program of the
Jewish Community Center of the East Bay (JCCEB)