AUSTRALIAN JEWISH MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Jewish music tells an incredible story of a journey; both into the soul of man and throughout the physical world. This journey has given birth to a remarkably diverse and beautiful tradition that encompasses all of the cultures that have hosted Jewish people.
The AJME was formed around the idea that, in its breathtaking diversity, Jewish music can be revitalised through fusions with other genres of music, different compositional forms and the inclusion of improvisation, which is the lifeblood of musical creativity. By funnelling Jewish migratory paths through a contemporary musical prism, the AJME hopes both to create for itself a repertoire that will make a lasting contribution to the body of Jewish music, and to encourage more people to engage with this tradition.
The Australian Jewish Music Ensemble was formed after the
second So Many Notes concert, a Jazz concert featuring jazz compositions/arrangements
of Jewish music. The concert took place at BMW Edge in November of 2008,
featuring Jewish jazz musicians from around Australia. The concert was
a fundraiser for the Australian Jewish Museum. Adam and Simon Starr were
the artistic directors of both So Many Notes concerts, and have played
at countless Jewish wedding ceremonies. Before and after the ceremony,
interspersed between Klezmer, jazz, modern Israeli and traditional Jewish
music, the brothers would improvise jazz versions of traditional Jewish
melodies. From these experiences came the inspiration for So Many Notes,
which in turn lead to the formation of this ensemble. AJME were able to
record this CD thanks to the City of Port Phillip's Cultural Development
Fund.