Performances - Music

Presented with the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

OPENING NIGHT - THE IDAN RAICHEL PROJECT

Known around the world, the Idan Raichel Project regularly sells out concerts.

The Idan Raichel Project burst onto the global music scene in 2002, changing the face of Israeli popular music.  The blend of African, Latin American, Caribbean and Middle Eastern sounds, coupled with a spectacular live show by a full band, has enchanted audiences worldwide.

Raichel began his musical journey by inviting artists ranging in age, from multiple ethnicities and singing in languages as diverse as Hebrew, Spanish, Arabic, and Swahili to collaborate writing new songs that melded their diverse backgrounds.  As architect of this endeavour, Idan Raichel fulfills the roles of keyboardist, writer, producer and one of the main singers, but by deciding to name it the Project, he highlights that this is a collective of talented, international musicians.

Billboard Magazine called their international release "One of the most fascinating titles to emerge in world music this year...a multi-ethnic tour de force."  The New York Times selected the album as one of the top world music releases of the year, and media from Peru to Portugal was unanimous in their praise. The album also received a nomination as one of the best world music albums of the year by the BBC Radio 3 Award for World Music.

The Idan Raichel Project has headlined in New York's prestigious Central Park SummerStage, Los Angeles' Kodak Theater, and the Sydney Opera House. They have also performed across Europe as well as in Mexico City, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Singapore and Mumbai.

Deeply moving and overflowing with rich melodies, engaging poetry, stunning vocal performances and intricate musical arrangements.  NOT TO BE MISSED!

www.idanraichelproject.com

Chutzpah! Community Sponsor: Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

Presented with

Presented with the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad

BALKAN BEAT BOX

Israel's ultimate party and dance band returns to Chutzpah! with their full band, but this time to a Granville Street dance club, The Venue! Balkan Beat Box weaves the exotic sounds of the Middle East with urban electronic grooves and hip-hop beats at their energetic circus-like concerts. With wailing horns and the fast and furious folk beats found in gypsy and Balkan music, the group breaks down political barriers with infectious enthusiasm because, "As our ears don't have them, why should we?"

"BBB blends Balkan horns and vocals, Middle Eastern rhythms, turntables, big fat power chords, and other musical flotsam into an exotic, compelling Balkan rave. Don't even try to resist." World Music Magazine

www.balkanbeatbox.com

Chutzpah! Community Sponsor: Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

Photograph by Gary Mulcahey

Presented with

Presented with the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad and Congregation Beth Israel

ARC - MUSIC IN EXILE

ARC has become one of Canada's leading cultural exports, raising international awareness of the Glenn Gould School's superb faculty and Canada's rich musical life. Its acclaimed series Music in Exile, which explores the music of composers whose lives and careers were changed forever by the Holocaust and World War II, has been presented with huge critical success in New York, London, Budapest, and Toronto, and has led to concerts at the Kennedy Center in Washington and performances in Rome, Sweden and Poland. ARC's two CDs, On the Threshold of Hope and Right Through the Bone, have been nominated for Grammy Awards in the category of Best Chamber Music Recording.

"The ARC musicians performed both scores with passion, polish and vitality." New York Times

Principal Artists:
Peter Barrett, Baritone
Benjamin Bowman, Violin
Steven Dann, Viola
Bryan Epperson, Cello
David Louie, Piano
Erika Raum, Violin
Joaquin Valdepeñas, Clarinet
Dianne Werner, Piano
Simon Wynberg, Artistic Director/Guitar

www.arcensemble.com

Supported by the Vancouver Jewish Seniors Alliance

SAGAPOOL

With its contagious joie de vivre and its vibrant music, this band of six musicians has created an original and dazzling repertoire that reflects the colourful influences of Montreal's cultural mosaic.

Previously known as Manouche - the band recently celebrated its ninth year with the release of its third album, Épisode Trois. With its diversified cultural background, the group defies simple categorization and lets its music travel without borders and preserves the free spirit and exuberance of its first loves - gypsy music, gypsy swing and klezmer, while adding ska, latin and folk rhythms.

Since 1999, Sagapool has performed over over 300 times in Canada, with 4 major performances at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. In 2006, the album St-Urbain Café was nominated at ADISQ (Quebec Junos) for best instrumental album. That same year, the group won the Roseq-Radarts award given by music promoters of Quebec.

Winner of Instrumental Group of the Year at the 2008 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

"The sparkling and festive music of Sagapool. Contagious joie-de-vivre." Journal de Québec

"Six incredible musicians were on the stage... in front of a public they took about two minutes to conquer. Sagapool enchanted the place with its rich melodies." La frontière

www.sagapool.com

LES YEUX NOIRS - Our 10th Anniversary Closing Night Party!

Theirs is a sound that ignores the divisions of political maps, sneaks past border patrols and extends the hand of fraternity right across Central and Eastern Europe. Equal parts gypsy and klezmer (with plenty of jazzy flourishes to boot), the band draws on music from right across the region, from Hungary down to Armenia. It's an exhilarating, winding journey, most often conducted at a pedal-to-the-metal, breakneck speed! If you missed them during Chutzpah! 2004 at Richards on Richards don't miss them this time!

"They were among the first to blend traditional gypsy sounds with electronic music and rock influences, and their live show is not to be missed!" About.com

"…voted by CityMusic's audiences as the favorite band ever to play at its World Music Series." Columbus Dispatch

www.lesyeuxnoirs.net | www.caravanbc.com

Presented with Caravan World Rhythms



Chutzpah! Presenting Sponsor: Harriett and Isador Wolfe