Atlanta Jewish Music Festival 8 Artist Guide
Meet the featured artists of AJMF8 from spicy afro-Cuban jazz to Ladino rock and the best in Israeli hip-hop.
David R. Cohen is the former Associate Editor of the Atlanta Jewish Times. He is originally from Marietta, GA and studied Journalism at the University of Tennessee.
Get to know a few of the featured artists of the eighth Atlanta Jewish Music Festival which will see 21 events over 18 days at venues across the city. Find more info on dates and ticket prices here, and check out the full festival schedule here.
David Buchbinder’s Odessa/Havana
Performing: March 2 at City Winery Atlanta
Sounds like: Spicy Cuban and klezmer inspired Jazz
Why you should go: Toronto based Jazz outfit Odessa/Havana led by trumpeter and composer David Buchbinder bring their blend of dance happy world music to City Winery Atlanta March 2 to kick off AJMF8. Attend their performance to witness a melodic trip from Eastern Europe to the Caribbean and back with musical stops everywhere from Canada to Israel.
Yotam Silberstein Quartet
Performing: March 5 at private residence in Dunwoody
Sounds like: Pat Martino with a side of hummus
Why you should go: New York based Israeli Jazz guitarist Yotam Silberstein is one of the NYC’s most in demand jazz artists and jazz chops have been called “exquisitely old school while bursting with joyful exuberance.” Silberstein continues the AJMF tradition of hosting elite Israeli Jazz musicians after AJMF7 opened with Jazz flutist Hadar Noiberg. Check out his house concert in Dunwoody if you’re a fan of quiet, smooth and complex virtuoso Jazz guitar.
Performing: March 9 at Eddie’s Attic
Sounds like: Stevie Ray Vaughanstein
Why you should go: Winner of the 2017 AJMF songwriting commission contest, Nick Edelstein is one of the only local artists featured in AJMF8. A multi-instrumentalist and composer, Edelstein is also one of the top blues guitarists in Atlanta and performed at AJMF2 in 2010 with his band Nick and the Grooves. Catch his performance during AJMF international night at Eddie’s Attic with Sarah Aroeste and Foad Naraghi for hot guitar licks and unique world music sounds.
Performing: March 9, 10, 11 and 12 at various venues
Sounds like: Feminist Ladino rock
Why you should go: Manhattan based musician Sarah Aroeste is performing five times at AJMF8 so there are plenty of chances to catch her unique blend of Judeo-Spanish rock. Attend one of her performances to hear a modern take on Ladino music, a form of Judaismo language that originated in Spain in the late 14th century.
Performing: March 17 at the Temple
Sounds like: Maccabeats go electric
Why you should go: Performing on the final Friday of AJMF8, Noah Aronson’s catchy and upbeat and Judaic music is the perfect remedy for a long week at work or school. Attend Aronson’s performance for a spiritually uplifting Shabbat worship service to kick off your weekend.
Performing: March 17 at City Winery Atlanta
Sounds like: Electronic assisted Israeli folk rock
Why you should go: Idan Raichel is one of the most popular musicians in Israel and has a dedicated global following. Catch his performance at City Winery Atlanta for a cerebral take on Israeli music over a tall glass of Pinot Noir at one of Atlanta’s premier concert venues.
Performing: March 18 at Buckhead Theatre
Sounds like: Homegrown Israeli hip hop
Why you should go: Sagol 59 is known at the “Godfather of Israeli hip hop,” Axum is an in-your-face dancehall hip hop duo from the mean streets of Netanya, Peled’s heavy beats and quick rhymes will get you up off your feet and dancing. Don’t miss three of the best Israeli hip hop acts covering the Beastie Boys “Licensed to Ill,” one of the most iconic hip hop albums of all time. Attend this concert if you’re a fan of Israeli hip hop, the Beastie Boys or if you just like drinking cheap beer and hearing Hebrew words like Shalat rhymed with hummus and salat.
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