Edgar Steinitz

Roots Unknown

OA2 22149

Purchase

iTunes - $9.99


...a percolating set that jumps with the joy of living...
Chris Spector, Midwest Record

With an artistic hand lent by legendary bassist David Friesen, clarinetist Edgar Steinitz presents a soulful debut recording. Honoring his heritage, Steinitz taps into a deep spirituality inspired by the joyous melodies of traditional Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish musics, offering originals and improvisations in their spirit. Besides Friesen on bass, Roots Unknown features an ensemble of accordian, violin, and percussion along with master improviser, trumpeter and saxophonist Jay Thomas. Combining the refined musical tastes of the Northern European Ashkenazi, and the strong Afro-Latin influences from the Northern African and South American Sephardic communities, Steinitz discovers a rich and significant musical landscape to explore.


Track Listing:

1. To Life (L'Chayim) 4:10 Jerry Bock, arr. Edgar Steinitz
2. Jewish Jazz Jam (JJJ) Suite 13:03
ONE: Peace and Wholeness (Oseh Shalom) 3:35
Debbie Friedman, arr. Steinitz
TWO: Healing Mind, Body and Spirit (Mi Shebeirach) 3:13 Friedman, arr. Steinitz
THREE: Hope (Hatikvah) 3:75 arr. Steinitz
FOUR: Rejoice (Nagila) 2:79 arr. Steinitz
3. Liberation (Ma Lecha Hayam) 6:47 arr. Steinitz
4. Segue 1 0:29 David Friesen & Jay Thomas
5. Yiddish Blues 4:09 arr. Steinitz
6. Perseverance 3:03 Friesen
7. Sephardic Blues & Into the Shadow of Lodz 4:50 Steinitz / Jerry Simon
8. Segue 2 0:35 Friesen & Thomas
9. Grant Peace (Sim Shalom) 7:12 arr. Steinitz
10. May Love Find Its Way To You 1:26 Steinitz

Performers:

Edgar Steinitz - clarinets & soprano sax
Bonnie Birch - accordion
Jeff Busch - percussion
Julian Smedley - violin & viola
Wayne Porter - drums

Special Guest Artists:
David Friesen - Hemage bass
Jay Thomas - flugelhorn, flute, tenor sax, trumpet

Production Info:

Produced by Edgar Steinitz & David Friesen
Recorded & mixed by David Lange at David Lange Studio, Edgewood, WA
January 15 & April 30, 2017
Mastered by Dana White at Specialized Mastering, Portland, OR
Artist photographs by Gail Steinitz (Steinitz), K Tenbrock (Friesen)
Cover design & layout by John Bishop


Reviews of Roots Unknown

Midwest Record (Chris Spector)
It's Jewish jazz, but is it? Drawing on the various modes from the various Jewish divisions, it's all cooked up into an interesting brew where even tunes from "Fiddler on the Roof" take on a new take and are more interesting than ethnic Broadway diversions. Not klez, this is a percolating set that jumps with the joy of living and could do more f ...









ORIGIN RECORDS

OA2 RECORDS

ORIGIN CLASSICAL

CONTACT US

  • Origin Records
    8649 Island Drive South
    Seattle, WA 98118
    ph: (206) 781-2589
    fx: (206) 374-2618
  • Email / Order Info / Etc
THE ORIGIN MUSIC GROUP • FOUNDED 1997 / SEATTLE, WA • THE MUSIC YOU NEED