Jews in Irish Music: a Concert and Conversation

Moderator and blogger Riggy Rackin leads us in an investigation as to why so many musicians in a typical Irish music session are Jews. History and happenstance, summer camp experience, travel and musical ancestors have all had their way with us. The appeal of another culture's melodic variation on the kinds of sadness we both know well brings us together. The performers are Riggy Rackin on concertina, Marla Fibish on mandolin and Lewis Santer on bouzouki. Riggy is an English concertina player and accompanist of choice on many sea music recordings. Marla Fibish is one of the prominent voices of the mandolin in Irish music. She also plays mandola, tenor guitar and button accordion, and is a singer and composer. She teaches private students and classes and released an instructional DVD on playing Irish music on the mandolin. Lewis Santer integrates Irish music with his Jewish roots. His Klezmer/Irish band, Ceilizemer, provided music for the films “Shalom Ireland” and “Blessed is the Match.” The lutherie that bears Santer's name produces fine guitars and bouzoukis specifically designed for playing Irish music. Daytime Adult Learning and Culture Programs are made possible in part by the John R. Schwabacher Family as well as a grant from the Maimonides Fund at the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund of San Francisco, The Peninsula, Marin, Sonoma and the East Bay. The OFJCC provides door-to-door rides for mobility-impaired seniors to all Community Tuesday lectures and concerts. The price is $10 for a round trip. All reservations must be made by Thursday morning the week before the event. To make a reservation, contact bsaad@paloaltojcc.org or (650) 223-8741. Funded by the Senior Mobility Initiative at the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.