new york | If you’re still trying to answer the perennial question, “What’s Jewish music?” don’t worry — you’re in the same boat as Michael Dorf, founder of the Knitting Factory, a famous music club in New York City.
A music producer of more than 200 titles under the KnitMedia entertainment group, Dorf knows what good music is when he hears it, but Jewish music — if there is such a genre — remains elusive.
That’s partly why Dorf created the Oyhoo Festival three years ago.
“I would like to call this the ‘What is Jewish Music? Festival,’ though that’s a mouthful,” Dorf said. “There’s a broad swath of definitions.”
This year’s festival, which runs through Sunday, Sept. 17 at various New York venues, features more than 60 events, including a Yiddish singalong, Jewish burlesque, a homage to Lenny Bruce with comedians Lewis Black and Judy Gold, and a two-day conference exploring the Jewish culture and entertainment industry.
Dorf said he expected some 25,000 people to attend — hopefully not all of them Jewish.
“There’s some very strong momentum building — whether it’s because of Matisyahu or Jon Stewart, who says he’s Jewish two or three times a night,” Dorf said, referring to the reggae artist and the comedian, respectively.
Dorf’s interest in Jewish music began in the late 1980s, when he started listening seriously to klezmer.
“I started moving my tushie and dancing,” and saw other people doing the same, Dorf said. “I felt this unconscious connection to the Old World.”
Jewish music today crosses all styles. Among the Orthodox artists in the festival are Rav Shmuel, a beer-guzzling rabbi who loves the Grateful Dead, and Y-Love, a socially conscious rapper who converted to Judaism.
The festival culminates with Jewzapalooza, a free daylong event that will showcase Hadag Nachash, David Broza, Pharaoh’s Daughter and Neshama Carlebach.
Visit www.oyhoo.com for more information.