Journey of 1000 Lights - Musical Benefit

A rare concert of thoughtful and reverent musical selections interspersed with poetic commentary – combining music of different styles and ethnicities that speak of the Immigrant Experience from which our Republic Democracy evolved.

Gracing the stage at the intimately wonderful Kuumbwa Jazz Center on December 16 for an afternoon performance are some of Santa Cruz area’s most accomplished artists: Akindele Bankole, Lori Rivera and Ivan Rosenblum. Renowned local musicians Keshav Batish (percussionist) and Laurie Tanenbaum (violinist) will also join in.

Ivan Rosenblum, pianist/composer/teacher has a B.A. from Queens College and an M.A. and Ed.D. from Harvard University. He is well known to Santa Cruz audiences through his many appearances with The Santa Cruz Chamber Players, Cabrillo’s Distinguished Artist Series, New Music Works and First Night Programs. He maintains an active piano and chamber-music coaching studio in Santa Cruz, where he organized and directed the Chamber Players’ Celebrating Youth Chamber Music Program for several years.

Akindele Bankole is a German-born Nigerian-American, who studied Music at Sacramento State University. As a Tenor, Bankole has performed with a number of California opera companies. As a composer, he writes his vocal lyrics in several languages, including Yoruba (his native language). He has written several piano, vocal, choral, and orchestral works, combining his traditional Yoruba tribe tonal and rhythmic melodies with western classical genre - which he calls “Classical Fusion”. In 2017, his compositions were premiered by New Music Works’ Orchestra of Santa Cruz, under the leadership of Conductor Phil Collins.

Lori Rivera is a local singer, songwriter, actress and teaching artist who has been performing in the Bay Area for over 30 years. She has toured with a cappella groups SoVoSo, The Bobs and with Cyprian Consiglio. Recognized for her impact in Santa Cruz with a Gail Rich Award, Lori has performed with the Mount Madonna Choir, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Cabrillo Stage, Cabrillo Music Festival and New Music Works. She also reprised her solo role in Mass at The Vatican, Carnegie Hall and with The Dallas Symphony Orchestra. As a teaching artist, Lori has held positions as Musical Director at various local schools, performing arts centers and churches.

This is the second annual benefit concert to support Chadeish Yameinu, Jewish Renewal Community of Santa Cruz, which will include a special raffle for a “Pot of Gold” monetary prize. The more raffle tickets purchased, the greater the $$ prize to the winner (and to CY)!

Raffle Tickets: $10 each / 5 tickets for $40
Doors open at 2:30pm Showtime is 3pm.

For More Information:
Ed Garner - (831) 531-7627 or Lynn LeRose (831) 688-0393