Hevreh is a Hebrew word meaning “Circle of Friends.” Friendship, relationship, connection: these are the DNA of the HEVREH Ensemble. Formed and cultivated by a group of friends, both new and lifelong, HEVREH Ensemble is the best kind of chamber group: their “clean, tight, creative… aesthetic that defies description” (Audiophile Audition) makes it abundantly clear that this is a group of people who know each other well and who work intensely and closely together.
Rather than genre-defying, HEVREH’s sound is genre-connecting: “Jazz-meets-World; Jazz-meets-Classical; World-influenced-Classical” (Audiophile Audition). Member and composer Jeff Adler makes colorful use of a rich and varied palette of instrumentation and compositional styles, all drawn from deeply personal sources for group members and their guest artists. All four members of the group are classically trained musicians (Juilliard School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Jerusalem Academy) who are also of Jewish heritage - no surprise after hearing the delightful and driving rhythms of some of the melodies, clearly drawn from the Jewish folk traditions of Eastern Europe. Adler’s long-time relationships with Native American flute-makers and performers Hawk Littlejohn (Cherokee) and Daniel Bigay (Echota Cherokee) led to the introduction of Cherokee flutes into Adler’s compositions, and eventually a collaboration with Cheyenne flutist Joseph Firecrow on HEVREH’s second album. Yet HEVREH’s music cannot be defined as “Jewish folk” or “Native American,” the generic “World” or even “fusion.” HEVREH’s essence is the thread of connection that runs through “Lost Tribes,” which opens with a Cherokee flute and closes with a shofar. HEVREH’s aesthetic is the double-image evoked by the piece’s title and the intertwining of the distinct musical traditions of these two diasporas, delivered with the respect of exacting classical technique, the playful joy of jazz improvisation, and the intense warmth, humor, and empathy that only a close-knit chamber ensemble can offer. HEVREH is the gathering-in of specific and studied musical traditions, woven together by an open-hearted desire to find and express connection with other musicians, musical languages, and music-lovers, ever widening and strengthening their “circle of friends.” On their newest album, Meserole Street, HEVREH welcomes tabla player Naren Budhakar, percussionist Shane Shanahan (Silk Road Ensemble), and bassist Jennifer Vincent, all of whom bring their own traditions and experiences of cross-genre connection to further expand the circle.
The Hevreh Ensemble:Jeff Adler- composer, bass clarinet, double drone flute; Judith Dansker-oboe, English horn, Native American flute; Laurie Friedman-clarinet, Native American flute; Adam Morrison-piano.
Guest Artists: Shane Shanahan-percussion; Jennifer Vincent- Double Bass
The concert will feature works written by Jeff Adler from our new album Meserole Street
https://www.hevrehensemble.com/