AmiciMusic salutes Jewish jazz with new show

On Sunday, May 27 at 2 p.m., the Amici Music series returns to White Horse Black Mountain with a special program, “Jewish Jazz ll.”

Vocalist Simone Vigilante, pianist Daniel Weiser and clarinetist Steve Loew will explore the uniquely American music that blossomed in the 1920-1940s as Eastern European Jewish immigrant communities in New York City interacted with African-American arrivals moving north in the Great Migrations, forging one of this country’s great musical fusions.

The concert will feature works with klezmer influences, including an arrangement of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and Yiddish swing from the repertoires of Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harold Arlen and others.

 Vigilante has been hailed as a “beautiful dramatic soprano capable of some awesome fireworks” by The Asheville Citizen Times. She’s appeared in recitals and competitions, with opera companies and orchestras, throughout the United States, France, Spain, Austria and Italy. Her solo CD release, "Love, Look Away," showcases her diverse talents in singing  genres that include opera, classical, musical theater, gospel, and folk song.

Weiser is familiar to audiences throughout Western North Carolina in his role as pianist and artistic director for AmiciMusic, which seeks to break down barriers between artist and audience with performances of chamber music in informal and nontraditional venues. He’s remained a regular on the White Horse stage since relocating to Baltimore. 

Loew is a former clarinetist with the U.S. Marine Band and has played for five presidents. He has also performed with the New York Philharmonic and the National Symphony, and has organized several clarinet-based chamber music groups in the Asheville area.