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Matisyahu is a big deal. He really did a lot to “update” Jewish music. But the first person to do that, known as the Rock and Roll Rabbi, the Dancing Rabbi, or the Singing Rabbi, was Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach Z”L. R’ Shlomo’s catchy melodies are everywhere. They are sung in shuls around the world and across denominations. Many of the songs you know are probably Carlebach songs.
So, R’ Shlomo’s yartzeit (that is, the anniversary of his death) is coming up. And to celebrate, Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder has put together a concert that is not to be missed. Joining him to remember R’ Shlomo’s music will be banjo phenom Jayme Stone (called “The Yo Yo Ma of the banjo”) and Lionel Young, who recently joined James Taylor on stage at Red Rocks with his unbelievable fiddle playing.
The concert, sponsored by Soulfood, will be Sunday, November 4th, from 5-7 PM at the Har Hashem south building (3850 Baseline). Admission is $10, all ages are welcome, and light refreshment will be served.
Contact soulfood at rabbigaga@gmail.com for more info. No RSVP necessary.
The appellation "Rock and Roll Rabbi" was used at the time in a derogatory manner. Pinchas Peli, who interviewed Reb Shlomo in March 1964, noted that his critics had labeled him as “The Haredi Rock and Roll King” and some even threatened him with excommunication. If you would like more details on Reb Shlomo please write to me and I will send you the table of contents and excerpts from the new biography about to be published by Dr. Natan Ophir entitled Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach: Life, Mission and Legacy.