JULY

Fri 2, 6.30pm – Musical Erev Shabbat Service and Chavurah supper.  Bring food to share as we sing, eat and pray together!  At The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, Elstree High Street, WD6 3EY.   http://www.tlse.org.uk/  (S)

Fri 2, 7.15pm – Shabbat Shira Friday night service: a warm, intimate and lively  musical service for all with the emphasis on singing and participation.  At West London (Reform) Synagogue, 34 Upper Berkeley Street, W1H 5QE.  More info from 020 7723 4404. (S)

Fri 2, 8.30pm – Stewart Curtis and K-Groove perform their unique brand of jazzy Klezmer at The Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square, Dalston N16 8AZ.  £10 entrance, call 020 7254 4097.  (P) 

Sun 4, 12.15-1.15pm – Klezmer workshop with Ilana Cravitz at The Cross Kings, 126 York Way, Kings Cross N1 0AX.  Workshop entry £5. More info http://www.ilanacravitz.com   (C)

Sun 4, 2-4pm – Klezmer jam session - bring an instrument and a tune, no experience necessary.  At The Cross Kings, 126 York Way, Kings Cross N1 0AX.  More info http://www.ilanacravitz.com  (C)

Sun 4, 2pm – Los Desterrados perform at World City Music Village in Victoria Park, Grove Road E3.  Free of charge.  http://www.myspace.com/losdesterrados1   http://www.culturalco-operation.org/   (P)

Sun 4, 6pm – From Seville to Salonica: A concert of Sefardi Music and Story Telling with 
Sef Townsend and Rebekka Wedell.   At Community Rooms & Rectory Garden, St. Mary's Church, Spensley Walk, off Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 9ES. Tickets in advance at £15.  Email nlpjc@liberaljudaism.org to book.  (P)

Sun 4, 6.30 to 8.30pm – Klezmer Improv.  A group exploring improvisation within Klezmer.  Come along to sing and/or play.  Led by William Millis.  £3.  At The Cross Kings, 126 York Way N1 0AX.   More info from 020 8969 7019.   (C)

Sun 4, 6.45pm – Dynamic Ladino songstress Mor Karbasi appears at South London Liberal Synagogue, 1 Prentis Road SW16 1ZW. Tickets £9 can be reserved through office@southlondon.org  http://www.myspace.com/morkarbasi   (P)

Sun 4, 7pm – An evening of Psalms.  Edgware & District Reform Choir will sing a selection of Psalms and choirs of various faiths will sing various interpretations of psalms.  Tickets at £2.50 an be reserved by calling 020 8238 1000, or £3.50 on the door.  At London Academy, Spur Road, Edgware, Middx HA8 8DE.  (P)

Mon 5, 7.45pm - Just Sing It: Learn Jewish songs and world music in an informal workshop setting with singer-songwriter-teacher Judith Silver. Radlett venue.  More details and prices from info@judithsilver.com or call  07903 914 064  http://www.judithsilver.com (C)

Thurs 8, 12.30pm -  She’koykh Klezmer Ensemble perform at Euston Plaza.  More info from Suzie on 07970 383 424 or Meg 07779 320 738. http://www.myspace.com/shekoyokh   (P)

Fri 9, 7pm – TENT musical and uplifting Friday night Service at The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street W1T 4BE.  Call Avivit Katzil 07866 501 787.   http://www.liberaljudaism.org/tent.htm   (S)

Sat 10, 9.15am – Choral Shabbat at Central (United) Synagogue with Chazan Steven Leas and the shul choir directed by Michael Etherton.  36 Hallam Street, London, W1W 6NW.  More info from 020 7580 1355.  (S)

Sat 10, 3pm - She’koykh Klezmer Ensemble perform at World City Festival in Hyde Park.  http://www.culturalco-operation.org/festivals/first  http://www.myspace.com/shekoyokh (P)

Sun 11, 10am to 4pm – Semi finals of Israeli music and Ernest Bloch competitions in London W1.  Full details here   (P)

Mon 12, 7.30pm - London Klezmer Orchestra meets to practise repertoire and arrange music. Session £5.  Tunes and arrangements are online at http://www.ilanacravitz.com/Klezorchestra.html  At Jester Bar (downstairs), The Cross Kings, 126 York Way N1 0AX.  (C)

Mon 12, 7.45pm - Just Sing It: Learn Jewish songs and world music in an informal workshop setting with singer-songwriter-teacher Judith Silver. Radlett venue.  More details and prices from info@judithsilver.com or call  07903 914 064  http://www.judithsilver.com (C)

Wed 14, 12.30 – Los Desterrados perform in the City of London Festival.  Details here.  (P)

Thurs 15, 10.45am - Just Sing It: Learn Jewish songs and world music in an informal workshop setting with Judith Silver.  Wimbledon venue.  More details/prices from 07903 914 064  adkelin@onetel.com  http://www.judithsilver.com (C)

Thurs 15, 6.30pm - Finals of Israeli music and Ernest Bloch competitions in London SW7.  Full details here   (P)

Fri 16, 6.30pm – Shabbat Resouled: A musical Erev Shabbat service.  With Rabbi Neil Janes at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, 54 Hutton Grove, Finchley N12 8DR.  Telephone 020 8446 4063.  http://www.shabbatresouled.org     http://www.myspace.com/shabbatresouled     (S)

Fri 16, 7.15pm – Shabbat Shira Friday night service: a warm, intimate and lively  musical service for all with the emphasis on singing and participation.  At West London (Reform) Synagogue, 34 Upper Berkeley Street, W1H 5QE.  More info from 020 7723 4404. (S)

Sun 18, 6.30 to 8.30pm – Klezmer Improv.  A group exploring improvisation within Klezmer.  Come along to sing and/or play.  Led by William Millis.  £3.  At The Cross Kings, 126 York Way N1 0AX.   More info from 020 8969 7019.   (C)

Wed 21, 7.30pm - Shir B’Yachad Jewish song group: learn Jewish songs of all types in an informal atmosphere.  Special guest teacher Ivor Goldberg will teach Israeli songs.  All welcome, no experience necessary.  Entry £3.  Hendon venue.  Details from Diane 020 8905 9093, diane@major7th.com  (C )

Wed 21, evening - Stewart Curtis and K-Groove performs their jazzy brand of Klezmer music for free at The Scoop, 2a More London Riverside, SE1 2DB.  http://www.morelondon.com/events_details.asp?ID=71   (P)

Thurs 22, 12 noon – Music of the Shtetl:  Kieron Maguire and Francesca Ter-Berg invite you on a fascinating musical journey to pre-war Europe. Kieron and Francesca, who between them are of Polish, Ukrainian, Dutch, Spanish and Romanian origins, will perform traditional klezmer on cello, viola, guitar and world instruments and discuss its origin as music for celebration, worship and even political action.  At the Jewish Museum, 129-131 Albert Street, Camden Town NW1 7NB.  Tickets £10 from 020 7284 7384.  http://www.jewishmuseum.org.uk/Home  (P)

Thurs 22, 8pm – Daphna Sadeh and the Voyagers perform at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road E1 6LA. Tickets £11.Telephone 020 7613 7490 http://www.richmix.org.uk  http://www.myspace/daphnasadeh   “They cross borders of conflict and turn them into musical dialogue".  (P)

Fri 23, 12noon to 1.30pm – She’ Koyokh Klezmer Ensemble perform free of charge at Cafe Consort, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore SW7 2AP. http://www.myspace.com/shekoyokh  (P)

Fri 23, 8pm - She’ Koyokh Klezmer Ensemble perform at Cafe Mostra, 86 Stoke Newington High Street N16 7PA.  £8.  Telephone 020 7249 8582.   http://www.myspace.com/shekoyokh   (P)

Sat 24, morning – Klezmer Klub perform at Enfield Cultural Olympiad, Edmonton Green Shopping Centre.  For more info see http://www.ilanacravitz.com/calendar.html   (P)

Sun 25, 7.30pm – Shir B’Yachad Jewish song group: learn Jewish songs in an informal atmosphere.  All welcome, no experience necessary.  Entry £3.  Details from Diane 020 8905 9093  (C)

Jewish Music Institute Summer Schools

1-6 August – Ot Azoy: crash course in Yiddish language and culture including songs – info here

1-13 August – Tumbala: London Yiddish song school – info here

8-13 August – Klezfest: Klezmer music and dance festival – info here

Wed 4, 7.30pm – Queen Esther and Hilda with Chutzpah!  A concert of Klezmer and Yiddish music and CD launch with Hilda Bronstein and the Queen Esther Trio.  Full details here  (P)

Fri 6, 7.15pm – Shabbat Shira Friday night service: a warm, intimate and lively  musical service for all with the emphasis on singing and participation.  At West London (Reform) Synagogue, 34 Upper Berkeley Street, W1H 5QE.  More info from 020 7723 4404. (S)

Sun 8, 7.30pm – World Klezmer concert in Richmond.  Full details here  (P)

Mon 9, 7.30pm – Tumbalalaika: Yiddish songs of love and romance.   Concert at Union Chapel, Islington, featuring Hilda Bronstein, Michael Alpert, Shura Lipovsky and Polina Shepherd.  Full details here (P)

Wed 11, 7pm – Klezmer Klimax!  Top Klezmer musicians perform at the Union Chapel, Islington.  Full details here (P)

Thurs 12, 11am – The Sound of the Shofar: listen to the call of the Shofar – the traditional Jewish ram’s horn musical instrument - in a special session for the Jewish High Holy Days of the month of Elul. In the lead up to Rosh Hashanah.  Join our volunteer shofar blower, and learn about the sounds, symbols and traditions of the shofar.  At the Jewish Museum, 129-131 Albert Street, Camden Town NW1 7NB.  Free with museum admission. More info from 020 7284 7384.  http://www.jewishmuseum.org.uk/Home  (C)

Fri 13, 7pm – TENT musical and uplifting Friday night Service at The Montagu Centre, 21 Maple Street W1T 4BE.  Call Avivit Katzil 07866 501 787.   http://www.liberaljudaism.org/tent.htm   (S)

Sun 15, 7.30pm – Shir B’Yachad Jewish song group: learn Jewish songs of all types in an informal atmosphere.  All welcome, no experience necessary.  Entry £3.  Details from Diane 020 8905 9093, diane@major7th.com  (C)

Fri 20, 6.30pm – Shabbat Resouled: A musical Erev Shabbat service.  With Rabbi Neil Janes at Finchley Progressive Synagogue, 54 Hutton Grove, Finchley N12 8DR.  Telephone 020 8446 4063.  http://www.shabbatresouled.org  http://www.myspace.com/shabbatresouled   (S)

Fri 20, 7.15pm – Shabbat Shira Friday night service: a warm, intimate and lively  musical service for all with the emphasis on singing and participation.  At West London (Reform) Synagogue, 34 Upper Berkeley Street, W1H 5QE.  More info from 020 7723 4404. (S)

Wed 25, 8pm – She’Koyokh Klezmer Ensemble perform at the Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square N16 8AZ.  To book call 020 7254 4097.  http://www.myspace.com/shekoyokh  (P)

Mon 30, 8pm - She’Koyokh Klezmer Ensemble perform at Le Quecum Bar and Brasserie, 42-44 Battersea High Street, London, London and South East SW11 3HX.  To book call 020 7787 2227. http://www.myspace.com/shekoyokh  (P)

Fri 3, 6.30pm – Musical Erev Shabbat Service and Chavurah supper.  Bring food to share as we sing, eat and pray together!  At The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, Elstree High Street, WD6 3EY.   http://www.tlse.org.uk/  (S)

Sat 4, 10.45pm – Choral Selichot Service at Ilford Federation Synagogue, Coventry Road, Ilford, Essex IG1 4QR.  Refreshments followed by service.  Guest Speaker Rabbi Yehudah Black of Kenton Synagogue.  Service led by Chazan Adrian Alexander, accompanied by the Choir of Southgate and Cockfosters Synagogue, conducted by Harvey Rosen.  For further details email neros@ilfordsynagogue.co.uk   (S)

Sat 4, 11pm – Choral Selichot service at Kingston & Surbiton District Synagogue, 33 - 35 Uxbridge Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2LL.  Telephone 020 8339 2689.  Featuring the internationally renowned Cantor Moshe Schulhof of Miami supported by the London Cantorial Singers conducted by David Druce.  Doors open at 11pm, service starts 11.30pm with a talk by Rabbi Michael Rosenfeld followed by the service which will finish by 1.30am. For further information contact David on 020 8907 0616. http://www.mosheschulhof.com/new/rw/index.html     http://www.tlcs.org.uk/   (S)

Sat 4 – Choral Selichot Service at Woodside Park (United) Synagogue, Woodside Park Road N12 8RZ. Featuring Chazan Dovid Rome, boy soloist Joshua Cohen.  Full details from 020 8445 4236.  (S)

Sun 5, 10.15am - Shofar Show Good: Best Practice in Shofar Blowing.  Learn some of the significance and the laws of Shofar blowing and practice our technique. Open to all – with Shofarot or without. At New London (Masorti) Synagogue, 33 Abbey Road, St Johns Wood NW8 0AT.  More info from Synagogue office 020 7328 1026. http://www.newlondon.org.uk/  (C)

Sun 5, 3.30pm – London Jewish Male Choir perform at London Jewish Cultural Centre, NW3.  Full info here (P)

Sun 5, 8pm - S'lichot – A Musical and Spiritual Journey into the great themes of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur led by Rabbi Jeremy Gordon, Rabbi Dr Reuven Hammer, Chazan Jacky Chernett and Chazan Stephen Cotsen. At New London (Masorti) Synagogue, 33 Abbey Road, St Johns Wood NW8 0AT.  More info from Synagogue office 020 7328 1026. http://www.newlondon.org.uk/   (C) 

Sun 26, 8pm – Yiddish singer Hilda Bronstein and Chutzpah perform music from their new CD.  Tickets £12 from 07774 213131.  At Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park Highgate Hill London N6 5HG.  http://www.chiribim.com   (P)       

Fri 1, 6.30pm – Musical Erev Shabbat Service and Chavurah supper.  Bring food to share as we sing, eat and pray together!  At The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, Elstree High Street, WD6 3EY.   http://www.tlse.org.uk/  (S)

Sun 3, 7.15pm – “72 names: sacred names in popular music”.  An uplifting musical encounter between dynamic singer Tally Koren and creative teacher of Kabbalah Janet Berenson. Tally will perform a selection of the world’s best known songs inspired by the Bible, including Tally’s music from new album, 72 Names.  Janet and Tally will explore through song, meditation and discussion how the mystical and spiritual elements of Biblical texts can uplift our spirits.  Tickets £10 in advance, contact aytzchayyim@hotmail.com 07730 597 061, or £13 at the door, includes refreshments following the performance. At Finchley Reform Synagogue, Fallow Court Avenue N12 0BE.  (P)

Tues 5, 7.30pm – Sing your roots: Yiddish song workshop with Hilda Bronstein.  £12 for single session, £100 for 10 sessions.  More info from Hilda on 01494 680260 or 07778 501215.  At Edgware & District Reform Synagogue, 118 Stonegrove, Edgware HA8 8AB.  http://www.chiribim.com  (C)

Wed 6, 7.30pm – Stewart Curtis and K-Groove perform their Klezmer/jazz mix at the Radlett Centre.  Full details here.  (P)

Been to a really good Jewish music event?  Listened to a brilliant Jewish music CD ?

Got any other comments about the Jewish music scene in London?

 Send your review or comments to diane@major7th.com

share your views with others through the Jewish music diary

Interesting links from past calenders

Choral music and singing

there is a wide variety of Jewish choral music and singing events on in London and these are featured in the diary with an asterisk.
If you enjoy singing and would like to do more, here is a selection of groups who welcome new participants (some require auditions): 

Zemel Choir (mixed, based in NW London) – http://www.the-zemel-choir.org
Alyth Choral Society (mixed, based in NW London) – http://www.alythchoralsociety.org.uk
Pearl Hiller Concert Choir (mixed, based in NE London) – contact Pearl Hiller 020 8554 1240
Alyth Youth Singers (13-18) – contact Viv Bellos 020 8457 8795
Shabbaton Choir (men) – http://www.shabbatonchoir.com
London Jewish Male Choir (men) – http://www.ljmc.org.uk
 London Cantorial Singers (men) – http://www.tlcs.org.uk
 Judith Silver’s singing workshops (Jewish and other songs) – http://www.judithsilver.com
Shir B’Yachad Jewish song group (Jewish songs) – contact Diane Bramson 020 8905 9093

There is a wealth of Sephardic music in London – see below and these internet resources 
http://www.sephardicmusic.org/ 
http://www.last.fm/group/Sephardic+music
http://www.yorku.ca/judithc/MainEng.htm
http://www.monicaacosta.com/#/sephardic-songs/4525211529
http://www.myspace.com/morkarbasi
http://www.myspace.com/yasminlevy