2009

Joshua Nelson & the Kosher Gospel Singers present Jewish spirituals a la American gospel! Inspired by his faith, & love of gospel music, Joshua blends Jewish religious lyrics and meanings with the soulful sounds of American gospel music to create this own Kosher Gospel. Don’t miss this inspirational performer with a fire-and-brimstone voice “discovered” by Oprah Winfrey and compared with the late Mahalia Jackson. Anyone who saw him at the Jewish Music Festival knows what a charismatic and electrifying performer he is. We're thrilled that Joshua has invited Breck (on bass) and Michael (on drums) to perform in his band, and the whole group will join him onstage as Special Guests.Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts at the Osher Marin JCC200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael, CA [map]Saturday January 9 (8-11 pm) at Armando's, Martinez

Armando's is an intimate, close-to-the-music, get-to-know-the-performers, hot-spot for local talent, located at 707 Marina Vista, Martinez. CWe played there in early October, and it's a really fun place, with great sound. Easy to find, and easy to park, so come on out to Martinez. Cover charge is $8, or 2 for $15.

Sunday January 17 (2-4 pm) Concert, Santa Rosa

Absolute Music Series at the Friedman Center,

4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa CA

2009-09

Happy New Year to all of you!

The Red Hot Chachkas have several public shows this fall, which are described below. Over the summer, we recorded a new CD of 14 original compostiions by band members, which take our klezmer foundations in some new and surprising directions. The tentative title is "Beats Without Borders," and we hope to make it available and to schedule some CD Release Concerts ASAP. Stay tuned....

Meanwhile, at the Just Plan Folks Music Awards in Nashville in August 2009, our last CD, "Spice It Up!," was recognized as one of the top four Klezmer Albums, and Rob Reich's composition "The Third Glass of Wine" was voted one of the top Klezmer Songs. Congratulations, Rob! It's great to be getting some national recognition

Locally, we won the j. Reader's Choice Award for Best Klezmer Band, Bay Area, First Place, for the fifth year in a row. Credit and a Big Thank You go to our fans who voted us this honor

Bay Area klezmer band the Red Hot Chachkas almost went by another name. “It was either that or the Seventh Inning Kvetch,” says Julie Egger of the Chachkas, “but that didn’t work out right.”

The Red Hot Chachkas have been playing klezmer for the Bay and far beyond for the past dozen years. They whip their audiences into a joyous frenzy with thumping grooves. “The stunts that people try to klezmer music are pretty wild,” Egger says. “At Chabad weddings the men do juggling, fire eating, all types of wild stuff.”

Musically, the Red Hot Chachkas can play all the traditional klezmer classics, along with a number of original songs that can be considered “klezmer fusion.” “It’s wild, it’s creative, it’s energetic — it makes you move,” Egger says.

j. (the Jewish News Weekly of Northern California) (August 19, 2009)

Saturday October 3 at Armando's, Martinez

is an intimate, close-to-the-music, get-to-know-the-performers, hot-spot for local talent, located at 707 Marina Vista, Martinez. Saturday Oct. 3, 8-11 pm. Cover charge is $8, or 2 for $15. Put it on your Saturday night calendar now!