Soulfarm’s music connects with the Jewish neshama

 By Eva Trieger

Eva Trieger
Eva Trieger

ENCINITAS, California– Jewish Fusion is an apt description of the selections recently shared by a contingent of the Soulfarm musical group in Temple Solel’s social hall. Noah Solomon and C Lanzbom performed pieces on lead and bass guitar, as well as mandolin.

Harmonizing easily and encouraging audience participation on Monday evening, June 17 , Solomon and Lanzbom played and sang songs in English and Hebrew. They shared a bit of the history of their band, and told us of performing in Israel and recently, New York.  The young band has also concertized in Europe, Australia, and all over the United States.

The concert demonstrated the versatility and integration of Irish fiddles from “Riverdance”, the percussion of Latin America, and the lyrics of the heart.  “Walk with Me”, “Sameach” and Ani L’Dodi” were three selections that involved the sixty or so music lovers present.  Another crowd pleaser was a song that C Lanzbom wrote as a tribute to Pete Seeger entitled “Hard Times.”

In this band’s more than ten year history they have recorded several albums and MP3s, as well as shared the stage with such well known musicians such as George Clinton, Shawn Colvin and Bruce Hornsby.  The mixed age audience suggests that Soulfarm has indeed resonated with many neshamot, young, mature and everywhere in between.

This short concert was really a teaser for the full band’s performance the following night.  Soulfarm was slated to perform at San Diego’s Lyceum Theater earmarking all proceeds from ticket sales for NCSY.  This organization is geared specifically towards helping Jewish youth connect with their Jewish heritage. The Lyceum concert closed out the Lipinsky Jewish Arts Festival for 2013, and it seemed a lovely note on which to end.

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Trieger is a freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts.  She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com