"Let Us Break Bread Together"
The Reviews
"Leave it to the artists among us to heal the breach. On their new CD, "Let Us Break Bread Together: Further Explorations of the Afro-Semitic Experience", pianist Warren Byrd and double bassist David Chevan explore and celebrate the musical ties that have bound these two traditions together across centuries of
suffering and redemption. . . . Listening to this CD is a bit like checking out a funky little club in the basement of a church or shul. Or listening to a sermon on a bus ride headed South." Martin Goldsmith, former host and senior commentator for NPR's Performance Today, The Forward
"a CD of heartfelt inter-denominational duets". Bob Blumenthal, The Boston Globe
"Communication on the most elemental level and yet, at the same time, the most elevated . . . Let Us Break" is an excellent record of intelligent and thoughtful music, and I recommend it highly. 4 1/2 stars!" George Robinson, The Jewish Voice
"a jazz recording well beyond the ordinary, run-of-the-mill new record release". Willard Jenkins, Open Sky
"The up-tempo numbers have a zing and the slower pieces resonate sweetly. Byrd's rolling piano lines and rich chords are compelling, calling for repeated listening. Chevan's bass not only has a supportive role but serves as percussion (on the faster pieces) and counterpoint (especially on the slower tunes.)
Yes, there are several jazzy takes on Jewish prayers but there is such joy in the duo's delivery it's hard to find fault with their interpretations." Richard Kamins, Hartford Courant
"more a joyous celebration of diversity than it is any kind of solemn piece of gravity. . . "Let Us Break Bread Together" successfully accomplishes its goal of combining African-American and Jewish experiences, offering a mixture of music which can be appreciated from any cultural perspective. And there's no
reason not to tap your toes while the music dances forward." Nils Jacobson, All About Jazz.com
"This sound, the common experience of two peoples, has a message -and beauty- for all people." John Barrett, Short Takes, JazzUSA.com
"The bonding . . . is unbeatable. It's a bond that's wholesomely natural, appropriately spiritual and inevitably unbreakable. It's truly the kind of bond in which it's worth investing. Imagine: All that jazz coming from two dudes on two instruments-love links to God. Listening angels might call it a magical
mix of music . . . That's quite a combo." Bob Cumming, Hometown Publications
"The duo... is a pleasure to watch. This album is a pleasureful capturing of that experience. It's jazz, and good listening jazz, but it's also a reminder of shared history and sacred space, something that is good to encounter when done this well." Ari Davidow, www.klezmershack.com
"The musicians improvise on the songs' strong melodic cores, but they also play with the rhythm. "Eliyahu Hanavi," for example, is given a tango lift before pianist Byrd takes off on a dazzling, giddy solo that touches down in Monk and stride territory. It suits the piece, which celebrates the coming of the
Messiah. Most importantly, "Let Us Break Bread Together" works as a jazz duet album, and can be enjoyed for the sheer beauty and musicality of the playing." Seth Rogovoy, Berkshire Magazine
"Byrd is a sensitive and expressive pianist and Chevan a masterful bass player. Together, they incorporate a variety of sounds and playing techniques on each of their instruments. As their photos on the CD's cover blend together, so does their music. They are so well matched that the listener almost feels as if
only one person is playing. Byrd and Chevan seem to "feel" this music in an identical way." Judy Caplan Ginsburg, www.jewishentertainment.net
"Together, the duo have extensive knowledge of the two sacred traditions and they present them in a unique, but reverent, manner." David Franklin, Cadence Magazine
Responses to Live Performances of Chevan and Byrd
"Your performance was dynamic and inspiring, and truly brought to life the deep connections between the Jewish and African-American experiences. The audience was clearly delighted and moved . . . " Audrey Marcus, Museum Educator for Public Programs, Museum of Jewish Heritage--A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
"I was moved to hear the music of the Jewish and black spiritual traditions translated so well into the jazz idiom. You took material that was dear to me and performed the amazing feat of making it even more precious." Rabbi Dan Polish, Director, Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism
"They make the program meaningful by explaining to their audiences the background and history of the music they play. Their combining of the music of traditional Jewish prayers and songs with the Afro-American rhythms made for sweet jazz." Norman S. Greenstein, Executive Director, Utica Jewish Community Center
"Your concert . . . beautifully builds and celebrates bridges between communities." Rabbi Elias Lieberman, Falmouth Jewish Congregation
"The response of our students exceeded my fondest hopes. Your musical interpretations have the unique capacity to cross the artificial lines which divide us into groups. Our students clearly appreciated your virtuosity as artists, but it was equally clear that they grasped the human sincerity and spiritual
veracity of your duets." Frederick Richter, Director of College Counseling, Hamden Hall Country Day School
"The program encouraged Jewish and African-American students to think about some of the things our communities have in common, and it allowed two underrepresented populations at UNH to crate a visible and positive statement about cooperation and unity. The talent and professionalism which you ... displayed was both
entertaining and inspirational." Raina M. Goldberg, Director of Regional Student Services, Hillel Council of New England
"All of our efforts were more than gratified by your exciting and inspiring program, which was at once a delight, a comfort, and a challenge. Members of the audience continue to remark on your musical skill and intensity, and the connection they felt you were making with them as you shared your stories with all
of us. People were also impressed with your generosity, both during your performance when it was obvious that you played from the depths of your hearts, and afterwards, when you stayed and interacted with individual members of the audience for as long as it took to speak with every person who waited to meet you."
Susanne Ferris, Ministry Institute Program Administrator, Notre Dame College
"The program drew an extremely large and diverse audience, leaving standing room only. Your blend of jazz, Hebrew melodies, and African American spirituals added an important cultural perspective to the festival. Audience members were captivated by your musical talents and your ability to establish a cultural
dialogue through jazz." Brett Rodgers, Director of Literature, Music and Dance, Washington DC JCC
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