Brass, Reeds, and Percussion: December 28, 2024

For 2024, Hanukkah began at sunset on December 25 and will end at sunset on January 2, 2025. So in recognition of Hanukkah, this edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion features Hanukkah songs and klezmer. Klezmer is an instrumental musical tradition of the Jews of Central and Eastern Europe. Most klezmer is dance music, which is very appropriate for Hanukkah which is a happy celebration. Over the years, klezmer has incorporated elements from many other traditions: Turkish, Greek, Romanian, German, and Slavic, as well as Jewish religious music. In the United States, klezmer has incorporated big band jazz and Dixieland elements as well. And as two selections aired during this edition will demonstrate, even Latin music has been incorporated into klezmer.

See the Idelsohn Society.

1. Have a Happy Hanukkah
   Composer:  Moishe Oysher (1906-1958)
   Performer:  Panorama Jazz Band
   Album:  Good Music For You
     
2. Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights
   Composer:  Klezmer Conservatory Band
   Performer:  Klezmer Conservatory Band
   Album:  Oy Chanukah
     
3. Three Moods of Hanukkah
   Composer:  Lennie Niehaus (1929-2020)
   Performer:  Washington Winds
   Album:  Happy Holidays
     
4. Festival of Hanukkah
   Composer:  Lennie Niehaus
   Performer:  Washington Winds
   Album:  Happy Holidays
     
5. Havah Nagilah (cha cha)
   Composer:  Moshe Nathanson (1899-1981)
   Performer:  Juan Calle & His Latin Lantzmen
   Album:  Mazel Tov, Mis Amigos
     
6. Bei Mir Bist Du Shein (merengue)
   Composer:  Jacob Jacobs (lyrics, 1890-1977) & Shalom Secunda (music, 1894-1974)
   Performer:  Juan Calle & His Latin Lantzmen
   Album:  Mazel Tov, Mis Amigos
     
7. Mr. Nine O'Clock
   Composer:  Robert Wagner
   Performer:  New Orleans Klezmer All Stars
   Album:  Fresh Out of the Past
     
8. Hanukkah on Japonica
   Composer:   Traditional
   Performer:  Panorama Jazz Band
   Album:  Best of the Good
     
9. Dreydl Song
   Composer:  Al Sack (1911-1947)
   Performer:  Klezmer Conservatory Band
   Album:  Oy Chanukah
     
10. Piccolo Doyne
    Composer:  Traditional
    Performer:  Klezmer Conservatory Band
    Album:  Klez
      
11. Lena from Palesteena
    Composer:  Con Conrad (lyrics, 1891-1938) & J. Russel Robinson (music, 1892-1963)
    Performer:  Klezmer Conservatory Band
    Album:  Klez
      
12. In Your Garden Twenty Fecund Fruit Trees
    Composer:  Traditional
    Performer:  Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars
    Album:  Carnival Conspiracy