Saturday, April 24, 2010

I never thought I'd get anywhere near a "dayenu" moment at my synagogue's JazzFest Shabbat, a moment when there was such an embarrassment of musical and spiritual riches that I reflect back on it now and say...

If we'd had just the adult and kids' choirs singing the jazz melodies to the liturgy, it would have been great.

Adding the Panorama Jazz Band - even better.

An appearance by Sophie B. Wright School's band - raising the roof.

Having Allen Toussaint there...stratospheric.


But Toussaint's bringing up a special guest, getting some heart-in-my-throat dueling piano action on "St James Infirmary" going, then bringing him back for a grand finale of Adon Olam to the the tune of "When The Saints Go Marching In"?

Mind. Completely. Blown.


Reportedly, Paul Shaffer said it was the hippest service he'd even been to in a synagogue.

Toussaint and Shaffer can come on back anytime.

5 comments:

swampwoman said...

niiiiiice!!!!!

Kelly said...

Wow! What a memorable time!

GENTILLY YARD ART said...

freaking wow.

Vérité Parlant said...

That is too cool!

Robyn said...

thanks for sharing this! I follow you on twitter and was very excited to read about this. I grew up at Touro and have soooo many memories of sitting in that sanctuary! What an awesome experience it must have been!

-Robyn