2007-2008
Over the ten years since we
started this band and duo we have developed a wide range of concert
programs. Many of these are listed below. But we don't have
to share our music in the context of a specific program. Our music,
whether it is a concert or part of a worship service, resonates and
holds relevance well beyond any single programmatic theme or idea. Many
presenters bring us because of the sincere interracial and interfaith
message that underlies all that we do. But others bring us in because
of the joy we resonate and the sheer ecstasy of the music.
Worship Services
The David Chevan and
Warren Byrd duo and the Afro-Semitic Experience
have extensive experience with ecumenical and interfaith services.
They have shared their music at worship services in Jewish synagogues,
African-American Methodist and Baptist Churches and churches of many
other denominations. Because they are all accomplished and flexible
musicians they are comfortable playing a wide variety of music and can
accompany music soloists, choirs, and cantors. They often offer a special
Ňsermon in songÓ as part of the service. How does it work?
Usually about a month before the service we have extensive conversations
with the prayer leader or cantor to figure out the music for the service.
We then mail music back and forth and then meet for a rehearsal on the
day of the service. And then, somehow, it just always comes together
just right!!
Concert Programs
The David Chevan and Warren
Byrd Duo: Avadim Hayinu: Once We Were Slaves
African-American jazz pianist
Warren Byrd and Jewish-American jazz bassist David Chevan offer music,
stories, and more in a unique program that merges their distinct heritages
and cultures and delivers a positive and meaningful message about interfaith
and Black-Jewish relations. The combination of their sophisticated
jazz artistry, wit, and reverence for the material makes for a moving,
one-of-a-kind musical experience.
The Afro-Semitic Experience
An ensemble dedicated to preserving,
promoting and expanding the rich cultural and musical heritage of the
Jewish and African diaspora. Imagine a band that understands and can
present interpretations of music from the rich traditions of Gospel,
Klezmer, Yoruban drumming, Nigunim, Synagogue chant, Spirituals, Funk,
and Swing and you have the Afro-Semitic Experience. A group that is
as comfortable playing a freylakh as they are swinging a blues, that
knows how to play either a bulgar or some funk. Multi-cultural soul.
Ňthe Afro-Semitic Experience evokes the sound of cultural shift,
of a melting pot, of spirituality and devotion and ceremony, of partying
and praying and jamming. . . .A danceable, trance-causing flurry of
notes with godly underpinnings. Underneath all the oomph you feel
the warmth, wealth fury and pain of whole nations, repressed cultures,
challenged beliefs. This band is the sound of the past, the present
and the great beyond all at once.Ó Christopher Arnott, The New
Haven Advocate
Martin Luther King Day and
Black History Month Programs
The Afro-Semitic Experience
offers a dynamic program of music and stories that celebrates Dr. King's
legacy and the accomplishments of the Civil Rights movement. The Martin
Luther King program focuses on music from the Civil Rights era and on
the message of equality that Dr. King spread throughout the county.
The program includes some of Dr. King's favorite gospel hymns such as
"If I Could Help Somebody (then My living will not have been in
vain), "Let Us Break Bread Together," and "Soon I will
Be Done with the troubles of this World". The program also includes
interpretations of music from the Jewish heritage that celebrates those
same ideals and desire for freedom and equality that were cherished
and heralded by Dr. King. This is a multi-cultural program that can
be geared to audiences of any age group.
An Afro-Semitic Chanukah
and Kwanzaa Experience
Multicultural music and stories
that celebrate freedom and community. The Afro-Semitic Experience presents
a program designed for all ages that explores the common themes of the
season and brings communities together. Laugh, dance, learn, and hear
the familiar songs of Chanukah performed in a whole new way by the band
that has everyone standing up and cheering.
The Afro-Semitic Experience
with Symphony Orchestra
The Afro-Semitic Experience
has collaborated with composer Rex Cadwallader to develop a book of
arrangements of their pieces that can be performed with a symphony orchestra.
The result is a multi-cultural cross-genre collaborative experience
of an extraordinarily high caliber. Highly recommended for Martin Luther
King celebrations, Black History Month, Passover and similar events.
The group can perform two or three pieces or present an entire concert
with the orchestra.
David Chevan with Frank
London and the Afro-Semitic Experience: The Days of Awe
A different way to prepare
for the High Holy Days!! The Days of Awe is a concert program
of instrumental interpretations from the Jewish Cantorial tradition
including a special program of music for the Jewish High Holy Days.
Chevan, along with Frank London of the Klezmatics, and members of
the Afro-Semitic Experience enter a unique spiritual realm with
their arrangements and interpretations of major works for Selichot,
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by Yossele Rosenblatt and others from the
Jewish cantorial tradition along with traditional congregational melodies.
These pieces are framed with stories and explanations. This concert
is also quite appropriate for a musical worship service.
YIZKOR: Music of Memory
and Mourning
YIZKOR: Music of Memory
and Mourning is a song cycle of Jazz settings of the Jewish memorial
service composed for Cantor and jazz ensemble by David Chevan.
The work consists of seven settings of psalms, texts and prayers that
are commonly associated with the Yizkor service. The pieces have
been composed to be sung by a cantor (male or female) and accompanied
by a Jazz ensemble, in this case, The Afro-Semitic Experience.
While any of these settings could be used as part of a service, the
pieces have been imagined as a concert work and have been constructed
to allow for the personal interpretations of the members of the group.
The cantor's part allows for chazzanut, cantorial improvisation, but
can also be sung by a cantor who has not studied this art form. David
Chevan would be happy to work with any cantor who is interested in learning
the music to share either at service or in concert. Alternatively
the group can present this work with Cantor Alberto Mizrahi
or Cantor Martin Levson. Samples of the premiere
of this work can be seen and heard on YouTube.com.
"Old Wine in New Bottles":
A Concert of Modern Arrangements of Cantorial Music featuring Cantor
Jack Mendelson with The Afro-Semitic Experience
Cantor Jack Mendelson and The
Afro-Semitic Experience present a program that explores the many ways
that the ancient cantorial traditions can thrive and grow in a more
modern musical setting. They interpret and bring to life pieces by the
major cantors including, Yossele Rosenblatt, Alter Karniol, Zawel Kwartin
and Berele Chagy. They also present original pieces that further merge
modern composition, jazz, and chazzanut. This multi-cultural program
is for adult audiences but can be adapted for younger audiences as well.
Workshops with The Afro-Semitic
Experience
The band offers workshops for
general audiences and for musicians. Their general workshops can
educate or facilitate dialogue, and the workshops for musicians focus
on the introduction of culturally specific ideas, musical develop, and
musical performance. The group has scores that can be rehearsed and
performed by large-ensemble Jazz groups and Orchestras of any size.
For more information about
the Afro-Semitic Experience's workshops please click here.
