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I just a received a lovely review from Rabbi Rami Shapiro.
Yofiyah’s music brings ancient text alive in her unique style of
chanting. This is prayer at its most authentic and inspiring: deep
calling to Deep, soul calling to God, and God calling to soul. The
simplicity of her words coupled with the trance-like quality of her
music extends a divine hand beckoning the heart to open to its most
powerful yearning, and in so doing to be surrendered to the One and Only.
“Open,” the most recent release by Yofiyah, deepens the world of
kabbalistic kirtan that is her forte. Blending the rhythms and roots
of Middle Eastern and Western musical styles, the call and response
that is the heart of kirtan, Yofiyah initiates a dialogue between
cultures that culminates in the ecstasy of spiritual transformation.
Rabbi Rami
Rabbirami.com
If you haven’t read Rami’s books, I highly recommend you check them out.
He’s an amazing writer, thinker and soul.
Here are the first photos from tonight’s performance in Nassau, Bahamas at Sivananda Ashram.
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Tonight’s performance at Sivananda Ashram,Bahamas
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Another gorgeous day at Sivananda Ashram. Puja this morning followed by spirited chanting. Later I will teach my second workshop, swim in the glorious sea, then enjoy a concert by Davod Azad, who will also be joining me for tomorrow night’s kirtan. He will play daf on Echad b’Echad and oud on Pitchi li, a rare pleasure that will bring the spirit of the dessert into the temple.
Yesterday I wrote a new chant as part of my Sacred Voice workshop. Kadosh! Kadosh! Kadosh! It is easy here to tune into the Glory and Grace that fills this world (including us!). After class I had a lovely talk with Reema Datta and then spent time with Zimmi at the water’s edge as he threw hand fulls of sand into the ocean, joyously shouting “Here you go water! Here you go!” It was as if he were feeding the sea, or perhaps casting his bread. Whatever it was that he was doing, he was completely in the moment with it – totally consumed. It reminds me of the ecstasy that is possible when chanting. It is as if we are casting our voices, our prayers, our hearts onto the waters of heaven, the Great Waters, shouting “Here you go, God! Here you go!”
I just received a fabulous review of my new cd, Open, from Lynn Miller. It is being published in the Music for People newsletter.
I’m thrilled with her words. Thanks Lynn!
Here it is:
CD Review corner: with Lynn Miller and Jan Hittle
We have so many great success stories of Grads and MFP members taking
David’s offer-why don’t you make a CD? Jan and I have been in the
program for 15 years, watching the evolution of Musical miracles that
happen when we “Be in the Moment” and let the music begin….
Yofiyah, OPEN, Kabalah Kirtan II
Yofiyah, is an MFP graduate. Many of you know her as Susan Deikman.
When I first met Susan in the program, she had a determination to “be
a singer.” She studied, practiced and honed her tool to where Susan is
not just a singer but a vocal visionary and Goddess of Sacred music.
Susan has combined call and response Hindu style Kirtan with Hebrew
texts. As if this wasn’t innovative enough, the music is beautifully
orchestrated with world instruments such as: tabla, harmonium, dholak,
darbuki, riq, madal, oud, mrdngam, ney flute, bansuri flute, keyboards
and hammered dulcimer. This is a mix of Middle Eastern, Eastern and
Western instruments. If you don’t know what some of these instruments
are—another reason to listen to this extraordinary CD.
Kabbalah Kirtan is ecstatic singing, calling out to God. The
repetition, variations, melodies and instrumentation put you into a
trance state. It brings a vibrational harmony with God, a feeling of
Oneness and unity. Wow—that is a lot!
My favorite cut, Shechinah is emotional moving and mystical. It is so
beautifully orchestrated, building with energy each time around to a
state of ecstasy. The dynamics build in pulse and then quiet into the
heart—from heart to pulse to pulse to heart.
Yofiyah is a role model of “yes you can,” if you “Show Up” to your
music. Her last CD, Kabbalah Kirtan, was picked up by Sounds True, a
production company for spiritual teachings. More information is on the
Web at http://kabbalahkirtan.com.
Awakening the Creative Spirit
through the Healing Power of the Arts
http://lynnmiller.org/
After time away having my miracle child, Zimmi, I am excited to be returning to Elat Chayyim at Isabella Freedman this summer for two weeks of spiritual learning and chanting.
I will be teaching and performing at the Contemplative Retreat from July 25 – August 1st, followed by an additional week of the Jewish Women’s Music Festival from August 2-9, 2010.
I really look forward to seeing all of the old friends and supporters of Kabbalah Kirtan and making new friends, too.
After taking some time off to have a child (more time than I’d expected), I’m finally getting back to chanting. Well, I actually have been chanting mommy mantras like “I love you, I love you, I love you”, “no, stop, no” and “my sweetie, my darling, my cutie, my love”. There’s nothing like having a child to teach one about love, devotion and sacrifice, but that topic is for another day.
I’m very excited about some new gigs on the horizon: Shabbatons in Scottsdale, AZ and Ashland, OR; the Bhakitfest at Joshua Tree, CA; and a command performance for a group of 20+ visiting female professors from Princess Nuria University in Saudi Arabia. This last event is being organized by the Dialogue Institute and will be at the Psalm Salon in Philadelphia. I’m honored to be an ambassador of holy chant that reaches across cultural and religious divides. I can’t think of a better “dialogue” than a kirtan. It’s an exchange of breath, heart and god energy, that helps us experience our connection with each other and All that Is.
I am excited to announce that I will be appearing at the Bahkti Festival at Joshua Tree, CA during the four days of ecstatic chanting. 9-12 September 2010.
Also appearing will be Krishna Das, Deva Premal & Miten, Shiva Rea, Jai Uttal, Shyamdas, Dave Stringer, Wah!, Donna De Lory and many other great performers.
Come join me!
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