ZOE B. ZAK: Zoe B. Zak

Zoe B. Zak

Zoe B. Zak

© 1999 Sister Z (698811180129)

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prayers and improvs, psalms and salsa, hebrew blessings, balkan rhythms and more...Jewish music and more

tracks

1 Baruch She'amar/Psalm 27
2 Birchat Kohanim/Sim Shalom
3 K'motzate Shalom
4 Ani Maamin
5 L'cha Dodi
6 Psalm 51
7 Yismach Moshe
8 Joshua
9 Twinkle
10 Adon Olam
11 Kaddish

notes

The Zoe B. Zak Ensemble fuses ancient Hebrew texts with modern jazz, salsa and world music idioms on this CD, a collection of 11 inner world music compositions.

Zak leads on vocals, piano and accordion, and her inspired ensemble joins her in the crossing of many cultural bridges.

Although he creates elegant melodies, PAUL MARIENTHAL more often plays the flute rhythmically, and through his sub-vocalizing drives many of the pieces in surprising ways.

JOHNNY PLATANIA'S signature phrasing and responsiveness to the vocals makes his guitar an active participant in the prayers.

The rhythm section of MARK MURPHY (bass), JOHN RUSH (drums), BRIAN MELICK (percussion) preserves the ancient feel of the music while driving it flawlessly through very modern twists and turns.

Zoe says, "The music was composed so I could sing prayers while playing my heart out at the piano.
As the writing evolved and drew more widely from my musical palette, the compositions became more complex-and as the ensemble came together, I realized these musicians could dance with me down any musical avenue."

A knock-out version of Joshua ( and the walls came tumblin' down ) and a soulful, bluesy Twinkle ( how I wonder what you are ) are the English-language pieces in the collection.

The album represents the weaving together of her musical life:
* Avant-garde piano improvisations
* Folk music which inspired her to become an accordionist and made her music portable.
* The folk-rock that deepened her experience of making music in a band
* And the texts and melodies of a three thousand year old religious tradition.

reviews

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  • author: Zoe B. Zak

    "To enjoy this album, you don't have to have any connection to the religious traditions involved in the lyrics, it's great music no matter how you approach it." Philip Farber, DAILY FREEMAN

  • author: Zoe B. Zak

    "Zak...blurring the line between praying and playing with the help of five world class musicians..." Todd Paul, CHRONOGRAM

  • author: Zoe B. Zak

    "This music has had a long gestation, and you can expect it to be as yearning and affirmative, as joyful and sorrowing, as the traditions from which it stems...the musically omnivorous Zak has listened to, absorbed and played it all, and all of it colors her writing for this project." Mikhail Horowitz, WOODSTOCK TIMES

  • author: Zoe B. Zak

    "Zak...drives her gifted ensemble through time warps and across cultural bridges to create original and compelling compositions." Lawrence Bush, RECONSTRUCTIONISM TODAY

  • author: Zoe B. Zak

    "... the unique and fun sounding combination of The Zoe B. Zak Ensemble which combines Balkan rhythms, Latin melodies and Hebrew words...just might bring the house down" Laurel Kiyabu, TACONIC NEWSPAPERS [This message has been edited by Zoe B. Zak (edited 11-11-99).]

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