David Harris 255 E. Kellogg Boulevard, #305 Saint Paul MN 55101 (651) 227-2583 dh@visi.com www.voicesofsepharad.com Work Samples Video: video clip (higher bandwidth, DSL, ISDN, T1) video clip (lower bandwidth, 56K) Audio: Kuando el rey Nimrod Los Kaminos de Sirkeci Eyas Ensyenden la Almenara To hear the work samples, Windows Media Player is required. If you do not have it installed, you can download it for free here: Download Windows Media Player

Voices of Sepharad Jewish music and dance Voices of Sepharad presents in music and dance the rich Jewish cultural tradition that originated in medieval Spain and has developed throughout the Mediterranean world where Jews resettled after their expulsion from Spain in 1492. We are an ensemble of four musicians (vocals, violin, hand percussion, guitar/oud/chumbush) and one dancer, with more than fifteen years experience touring locally, nationally, and internationally. The beautiful and exciting performances of Voices of Sepharad appeal to a wide range of audiences. Groups such as Spanish speakers, Jewish and Arab -American organizations may find our work especially interesting because of its historical connections. Presenters interested in multicultural themes have also found our performances and workshops compelling. Available: Open availability, no mileage restrictions; not available Friday evenings through Saturday afternoons Space: 20 by 30 ft. with a suitable floor for dancing, preferably wood with no obstructions, carpet, stone, or cement; will confer with presenter about amplification needs Fee: $400 to $2,000, negotiable

Additional Information:
Voices of Sepharad celebrates the rich multicultural nature of Sephardic music, dance and storytelling. Sephardic Jewish culture has its roots in medieval Spain, where Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities co-existed for centuries. In 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella issued an edict expelling all Jews from Spain. These uprooted Jewish families resettled into several main regions, including North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans, and the Middle East. As they adapted to the cultures of their new homes these communities maintained their Jewish heritage and elements of Islamic-influenced Spanish culture.

David Harris, vocalist and co-founder of Voices of Sepharad, has been exploring Sephardic culture for nearly 20 years. He was first attracted to the culture through its richly ornamented musical styles. Trained in anthropology, David soon began to study the connections between Sephardic music and the cultures that have produced and transformed it. In 1986, he and Judith Brin Ingber, a specialist in dance and theater, founded Voices of Sepharad to preserve and present Sephardic performance for American audiences. Since that time, David has traveled to all of the major areas where Sephardic Jews settled. In each region he has sought out and learned from living representatives of the tradition. This has given Voices of Sepharad a great deal of insight into the subtleties of this music, the settings in which it is performed, and the ways in which it is skillfully varied by musicians. The group's performances blend close attention to musical tradition with a fresh theatrical dimension that is well suited to the stage.

Besides performing three main types of traditional music (romances, or narrative ballads; kantigas, or songs of the street and popular love songs; and koplas, or holiday tunes), Voices of Sepharad has commissioned new songs by contemporary masters in order to encourage the continued life of this tradition. The group is especially known for creating ambitious theatrical works which interpret issues of Sephardic history, experience, and the meaning of folk culture and identity in a modem setting. At present, its members include a vocalist; a percussionist; a player of guitar, 'ud, chumbush, and saz; a violinist; and a dancer. They are often accompanied by guest artists.

The beautiful and exciting performances of Voices of Sepharad appeal to a wide range of audiences. Groups such as Spanish speakers, Jewish and Arab-American organizations may find their work especially interesting because of its historical connections. Presenters interested in multicultural themes have also found their performances and workshops compelling.