MUSIC

Three talented musicians team for a vibrant concert of Klezmer, Chasidic, Israeli and American works. The playlist offers an acoustic variety: joyous and lamenting, edgy, pop, jazz, swing, Middle Eastern/Russisan/American folk.

Featured guest star Lil' Rev on ukulele, harmonica and other instruments is joined by Congregation Sherith Israel's music-making Rabbi Saul Strosberg on piano and trumpet and Jonathan Yudkin with strings.

Seating is in-the-round, up close to the musicians. In a casual "listen and learn" format, Rabbi Saul talks about the music genres, their charactertistic beats, rhythms, tones. Lil' Rev regales with background about American Yiddish music and Jewish swing.

Lil' Rev, acclaimed for his one-man programs on "Jews of Tin Pan Alley" and "Jews 'n' Blues," is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and music historian. Born and based in Wisconsin, he travels internationally as a performer of ukulele music and Jewish and Yiddish folk songs.

Rabbi Saul, since 2005 spiritual leader of Sherith Israel, an Orthodox community-oriented congregation, has classical piano training and trumpet talent. An experienced musician, he played in Jewish wedding bands in New York. He holds Washington DC's National Synagogue's record for the longest ram's horn blast for the Jewish New Year.

Jonathan Yudkin, adept at all types of stringed instruments, has for three decades provided Nashville studios with award-winning tracks. Artists and producers call on him to compose, arrange, perform and record string sessions from quartets to 48 pieces. His work appears on Top 40 radio, movie soundtracks, television, video and commercials.

The evening will open with a brief service, at 8:45pm, marking the end of the Jewish Sabbath. After the concert refreshments will be served.

The event is jointly sponsored by Congregation Sherith Israel, a century-old Orthodox synagogue; B'nai B'rith Social Unit, a social group for active adults 50-plus; and Jewish Federation of Nashville, a communal organization that works to help those in need, respond to crisis and preserve Jewish culture and traditions.