Ben Sidran and Friends celebrate Jewish-American music

World-renowned jazz musician, producer, scholar and writer Ben Sidran completes his semester-long residency on campus with a star-studded performance at the Wisconsin Union Theater at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 12. The show is followed by a reception, with refreshments, in the Union’s newly renovated Main Lounge.

Titled “Ben Sidran and Friends: A Jazz Tribute to Jewish Popular Music in America,” the performance celebrates the contributions of Jewish musicians and entertainers to the American Dream, from Tin Pan Alley and Irving Berlin to Bob Dylan and Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen. Joining Sidran is a group of accomplished musicians including his son, Leo, on drums; Mike Richmond, bass; Mike Mainieri, vibraphone; Howard Levy, harmonica; Gil Goldstein, piano and accordion; Bob Malach, clarinet and saxophone; and Lynette Margulies, vocals.

The performance is a culmination of a residency, more than a year in the making, designed to explore Jewish culture in America and survey a century of music making. “This is the first time ever that such an examination is taken with an eye to the historical context as well as a look at the lyrical and emotional contributions of Jewish artists to this country … but it’s also a chance for me to work with superb musicians and good friends,” says Sidran.

London’s Time Out magazine says, “Sidran…can be funkier than Randy Newman, funnier than Mose Allison, cleverer than Donald Fagen and groovier than Georgie Fame. In short, Ben Sidran can be the coolest fogey to ever sit behind a piano and sing.”

The show is sponsored by the Wisconsin Union Directorate with additional support from WORT, 89.9 FM. Tickets are $30 for the general public, $29 for Union members (or seven or more vouchers at $27 each) and $14.50 for UW–Madison students (or five or more vouchers for $10 each). For more information, call the box office at (608) 262-2201.