Songwriter/scholar makes the Jewish connection in popular music
By Bill Nevins
“Louis Armstrong told Cab Calloway that he got his scatting style of singing from ‘Jewish rocking,’ by which he meant the chanting that is a profound part of our Jewish tradition,” said Lil’ Rev in a recent phone interview. “There has always been a profound and mutually supportive interaction between the American-Jewish and African-American musical communities. Just look at the famous history of Chess Records or even, obliquely, the way Bob Dylan recorded Delta blues and his hilarious send-up of ‘Hava Nagila.’ Dylan may waver in his religious enthusiasms, but he is undeniably a Jewish-American artist with heavy Black influences.”
Billing himself as “A Midwestern traveling musician and storyteller,” the Wisconsin-based Lil’ Rev reveals his Jewish pride and the scholarly bent which has led him to publish more than seven books and dozens of articles on musical history and related topics. He also has an international reputation as a master of the ukulele, banjo, harmonica, and the art of song-laced storytelling which entrances audiences of all ages and ethnic origins.
“As Lead Belly said, ‘We all got here on the boat, just different boats,’” he said laughing, noting that his current show “Jews N Blues” is a stream of various kinds of roots music, featuring original songs and the tunes he’s rediscovered, “telling the true story of American blues and rock and roll.”
About the all-ages performance he’ll give at the South Broadway Cultural Center, Lil’ Rev said the audience plays a vital role. “This is a participatory show – we do sing-alongs and everybody gets into the fun. I call my show ‘edu-tain-ment’ because you’ll learn something new and have a really fine time learning it. People always go home smiling.”
Jan. 28, Saturday, 7 pm
“Jews N Blues,” Lil’ Rev in Concert
South Broadway Cultural Center, John Lewis Theatre
Tickets $18-50; all proceeds benefit Hillel at the University of New Mexico
1025 Broadway SE, 505.848.1320
More information at LilRev.com and South Broadway Cultural Center
