Album Notes

“Nostaljia.” describes the feeling and pain of the Jew in exile and the yearning to return to the Homeland. In the year 70 CE, the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, and many Jews were taken captive to Spain. When the Muslims entered Andalusia in 711, Sephardim began to feel at "home", until the turmoil of the inquisition and finally, the Alhambra decree of 1492. These souls went to all parts of the world, including the New World. On this album, I incorporated Brazilian rhythms, including Baion and Bossa Nova. One particular original tune, “Qahal Zur Israel” was composed in the Baion rhythm, which is typical from Northeastern Brazil, where the first New World synagogue was founded. I wrote this tune in honor of the Qahal Zur Israel synagogue of Recife which was closed in the 17th century when the Portuguese took over from the Dutch, and the Jews had to leave Brazil or convert to Catholicism. The tune, “Elianika” was composed in honor of my daughter Eliana. I used to play around with the guitar before she was born and used to always react to my music in the womb. When she was born, she recognized the melody on the guitar, which I later developed in a Flamenco style. The melody of “Im Ishkahekh Yerushalayim” came to me one day when I was meditating on the destruction of the Temple. The rest of the tunes are traditional Sephardic melodies in which I took liberties to fuse with Mediterranean and jazz elements.

It is my desire to share this beautiful gift with everyone, with the hope to unite us all!