Three Yiddish divas enchant Lipinsky Festival

By Eileen Wingard

ENCINITAS, California — I arrived at the Encinitas Library just on time, but, from the difficulty I was having finding a parking space, I knew there would be a large crowd. Not only was the hall filled to capacity, with a number of people standing on the sides, but I found myself at the end of a line of a dozen people, waiting for a security person to escort us to an outside balcony from which we could hear, but not see the performance.

It is no wonder that this concert, one of the offerings of the 21 ^st Lipinsky Jewish Arts Festival, drew such a large audience. The Divas of Klezmer: Elizabeth Schwartz, Kathy Robbins and Debby Davis, are well-known in the Jewish Community and each artist has a large and loyal following . Also, they were being accompanied by Yale Strom on violin, Jeff Pekarek on bass, and Lou Fanucchi on accordion, three core members of Strom’s band, Hot Pstromi. In addition, this program was underwritten by the Leichtag Foundation and was free of charge.

Elizabeth began the concert with her full-throated alto, singing familiar Yiddish fare. She is the vocalist for her husband’s klezmer band, Hot Pstromi and has performed extensively in North America and Europe. She has also recorded on the Naxos and Arc Music labels.

Next came Kathy Robbins, veteran of Greenwich Village coffee houses and Manhattan night clubs as well as a 26-year stint as cantor for Temple Solel. Her sweet sound and warm personality enhanced her selections. Two of the memorable songs on her program were Ich Hob Dir Zu Fiel Lieb, (I Love You Much Too Much) and Abi Gezunt (At Least If You Are Healthy).

Debbie Davis learned her Yiddish repertoire from her grandmother in Brooklyn and has a degree in opera performance from UCSD. I first heard her as the vocalist with Ron Robboy’s Big Jewish Band. Later, she and clarinetist, Robert Zelickman, teamed up to become co-directors of The Second Avenue Klezmer Ensemble. Debbie was ordained as the first cantor in Humanistic Judaism.

Two show-stoppers were her renditions of Mazel, (Good Fortune) where synagogue cantillation showcased her excellent coloratura technique, and Yidl Mit’n Fidl, (Little Jew With His Fiddle) where she sang about musical instruments and imitated the sounds of barn animals.

Elizabeth concluded the afternoon’s program. Among her final selections were two original works by her gifted husband, Yale Strom. One was called Café Jew Zoo, the other was from the musical she and Strom collaborated on, The Witches of Lublin.

Her final song was what has become her signature, Rumenye, Rumenye. This fast moving, rhythmic ballad sings about all the good things in Rumania and Elizabeth demonstrated her breath-control by some unbelievably lengthy notes, and her ability to use her cheeks for percussive effects. This concluding number brought the house down.

The three talented divas joined forces for an encore in the familiar Bei Mir Bis Du Shayn (By Me, You Are Beautiful).

It is hard to believe that the Lipinsky Jewish Arts Festival has been in existence for over two decades. I recall the youthful director, Todd Salovey, looking boyish as he greeted the attendees with a smiling, “Shalom Aleichem!” and we responded, “Aleichem Shalom.” Now, a few grey strands in his whiskers attest to the 21 years, but he still is smiling and youthful as he greets the audience the same way.   The programs he has brought to the Lyceum and to various North County venues continue to reflect the Jewish experience. I am looking forward to attending Thursday evening’s violin-piano recital at the Lyceum featuring two young Israeli artists, Asi Matathias, violin and Victor Stanislavsky, pianist, both scholarship winners of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, and both embarked on busy careers as concert artists.

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Eileen Wingard is a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony who specializes in coverage of the arts.  She may be contacted at eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com