Jazz with a strong Jewish influence
Fifth of Nisan began with a focus on traditional klezmer tunes, but it has now evolved to include original compositions.
Fifth of Nisan is a six-piece ensemble that blends traditional Jewish melodies with jazz and pop, and they are performing at the Classic on February 23.
The group was formed two years ago by Rachel Moshel after she moved to Melbourne from Sydney and was connected to talented local musicians.
Moshel plays trumpet, and this performance includes Tony Hicks on saxophone and clarinet, Alex Burkoy on violin, Daniel Mougerman on keys, Owen Downie on bass, Ben Hendry on drums with Montana Sharp providing enchanting vocals.
Speaking to The AJN, Moshel said that Fifth of Nisan began with a focus on traditional klezmer tunes, but it has now evolved to include her original compositions she wrote over the last year while living in Germany.
Moshel said that many of the songs were influenced by the strangeness of being Jewish in Germany. “I think being in Germany and exploring Europe this year was eye opening … like many Jewish communities in so many different places, the Diaspora is just rich with history, and we’ve lost so much of it because of hatred and pogroms… it was a lot to deal with,” she said.
Reflecting on the Jewish infusion in Fifth of Nisan’s music, Moshel said, “I grew up in a very secular Ukrainian Jewish family and I didn’t have much of a connection to Jewish culture. I went to an Anglican high school but on Sundays, I would go to Hebrew school when I was a child and I had my bat mitzvah … I was always really yearning for Jewishness and Jewish friends, and the ideas and every aspect of it. So, I always knew when I started a project I wanted it to be Jewish … It’s a jazz group with a lot of Jewish influence.”
Moshel is now exploring her connection to Jewish spirituality and said many of the melodies draw from niggunim and Kabbalistic ideas.
She is also hoping Fifth of Nisan will release an album later this year and is fundraising for the costs involved. Her fundraiser page states, “After a decade of freelancing on others’ projects, this is my first chance to share my own voice. Two years of writing have led to a bold, fresh take on Jewish music, questioning what it means to be a Jewish artist in the Diaspora. With some of Australia’s finest musicians, this album will be a stunning contribution to the jazz and klezmer scene … To record, produce and properly promote this album, we need your support.”
For bookings visit classiccinemas.com.au/movies/fifth-of-nisan
comments