Folk Music: Tradition and Innovation with Ira Klein

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Submitted by Anonymous on

Should musicians focus on preserving or expanding their traditions? How do young artists re-imagine traditional narratives?

Interest in folk music is rising globally. By engaging with examples from a variety of musical traditions, this lecture will underscore a major dilemma in folk music performance - the tension between preservation and change. Audiences will deepen their appreciation of the multiple cultural layers that construct musical traditions, and will be invited to engage in discussion.

About the Presenter:

Ira Klein is an award-winning interdisciplinary musician and educator from Jerusalem, Israel. He is an alumni of Berklee College of Music, where he focused on the study of blues and Appalachian music. Ira is also active in Ladino (Jewish Sepharadic) music, leading the Boston-based ensemble Convivencia. Invisible Treasure, Ira's debut EP, has received accolades from publications such as Americana UK, the Bluegrass Situation, and WTJU. Ira is fascinated by folk traditions, and believes that when ancient songs meet a contemporary interpretive lens, the creative possibilities are boundless. He has performed at the MFA Boston, Harvard University, Mass MOCA, and The Red Sea Jazz Festival in Israel. He is the recipient of awards from Mass Cultural Council, Mount Auburn Cemetery, St. Botolph Club Foundation, J Arts Boston, and Club Passim. As an educator, Ira has taught at Berklee College of Music, the Cambridge Music Consortium, and Club Passim School of Music.

Questions? Contact Kerry: keodonnell@somervillema.gov

This program is supported in part by the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Location: 
Auditorium
Start Time: 
7:00 PM
End Time: 
8:00 PM

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