A dynamic series of performances by artists who express and share the Jewish Experience through music, the Southern States Jewish Music Series brings a wide range of Jewish music genres to communities throughout the ISJL's thirteen-state region.

Sax appeal

Israeli multi-instrumentalist a hit throughout the South

He received the Key to the City of Lakes Charles, La., and pleas to return to every community in which he performed. Israeli jazz multi-instrumentalist Amir Gwirtzman wowed audiences and made friends throughout the South from February to May 2010.

The jazzman was one of eight Schusterman Visiting Artists, Israeli performers sharing their culture in the United States in a program underwritten by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation of Tulsa, Okla. Amir's four-month Southern visit was coordinated by the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life.

Amir has performed worldwide as a solo jazz musician and a member of the Israeli world music band Esta. He's creating his first solo CD after recording with Esta and many of Israel's top singers. Amir's also part of the new international jazz band Sleeping Camel.

He plays (and schleps) a woodwind section full of saxophones as well as bagpipes, clarinet, classical flute and African, Asian, European and Middle Eastern instruments. Amir likens flutes to people. "The flutes may look a little different and sound a little different, but in the end, they're all flutes," he says.

In his "Inhale-Exhale" solo concert, Amir plays jazz, R & B and Jewish songs with a unique twist. He uses a loop machine to instantly record and play back each instrument, allowing him to build an ensemble sound. His "Israel  is a Mixed Bag of Pipes, Horns and Flutes" workshop features a wider array of his instruments and his you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it trick of playing three Irish penny whistles at once.

While in the South, Amir performed and taught in 20 communities in seven states, from New Orleans to Tulsa, from Houston to Nashville and  towns large, small in-between.. Highlights include:

• A concert at a packed synagogue in Lake Charles, La., that raised funds for Haitian earthquake victims and garnered him the key to the city.
• Workshops for music students at Millsaps College and Jackson State University in Jackson; the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg; Houston (TX) Community College and Memphis University.
• Performing at the Limmudfest day of Jewish learning in New Orleans and the Yom Limmud day of Jewish learning in Houston.
• Playing before an audience of hundreds at the Festival Internationale world music event in Lafayette, La.
• Concerts at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, Tulsa; and the BB King Museum, Indianola, Miss.

Praise for Amir has been non-stop. Len Springer of Lafayette, La., wrote that the community "could not be more pleased by Amir's good nature and fine musicianship."

Bob Schwartz of Tupelo, Miss., noted: "In less than three days, Amir made six appearances here, including talks and demonstrations at a library and church, a workshop with college music students, visits to two public schools and a final concert. This was an ambitious schedule, especially in light of our seeing up close just how intensive each of these appearances was. Every one was a joyous success."

"His artistic brilliance and his people skills made a wonderful evening for us," wrote Rabbi Dan Gordon of Temple Beth Torah in Humble, Texas. Amir performed for the congregation after a Havdallah service and potluck dinner.

For more information, contact Ann Kimball, Director of Programming, at akimball@isjl.org or  (601) 362-6357.