arts & entertainment Josh Nelson of the Josh Nelson Project: "I want to write music that moves people Unmistaken Identity and gives them points of access where they can find spiritual connection." Meet Josh Nelson the modern Jewish rock version. T Suzanne Chessler close and well versed in both of our rep- Contributing Writer Nelson, who knows the rabbi through participation in activities planned by hree entertainers with the name the Reform movement and the North Josh Nelson — one known for contemporary Jewish rock, anoth- American Federation for Temple Youth (NFTY), will introduce songs from Lift, the er for marrying Jewish liturgical lyrics title track remaining his favorite. with African-American gospel style and "That song is about overcoming the third heard on jazz piano — can find struggles," he says. "It's about the process promotion of their appearances confusing of leaning on a person's relationship with for potential audiences unless there's a God in times when things can seem hope- picture of them accompanying the words. Just ask the Josh Nelson slated to perform less and feelings express great angst. "I want to write music that moves peo- at 25 Live!, a concert to celebrate the silver ple and gives them points of access where anniversary of Rabbi Norman Roman at they can find spiritual connection. Pretty West Bloomfield's Temple Kol Ami. much everything I do has to address that That Josh Nelson, of the Josh Nelson set of guidelines." Project, is friendly with both namesakes as Nelson, who grew up in Massachusetts well as the rabbi being honored May 1 at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts. and now lives in New York, began taking piano lessons at age 6, moved on to guitar There are new initiatives that set apart at 8 and tried drums and double bass as the Josh Nelson soon appearing in West he entered his teenage years. Bloomfield. These include his recording "I actually began playing in clubs when (Lift), composing work for the stage ver- I was 13',' he says. "I was in high school sion of Sleepless in Seattle and his nearly bands for a couple of years playing mallet completed dissertation on vocalese, a instruments, but I was mostly recognized 1950s jazz style. as a singer. I studied classical voice and "The three Josh Nelsons have a funny opera when I was younger and became little club:' says the multi-instrumentalist fairly sure that's what I wanted to do. singer-songwriter, 33, who will be joined "As I was studying opera during the day, by Craig Taubman at the anniversary con- I was writing and performing secular and cert."We're all around the same age and popular music at night. I found that to get calls for one another." be more creative for my personality and Nelson's visit to Michigan demonstrates something that I felt fulfilled a lot of dif- yet another friendship as he shares the ferent areas of my life." stage with Taubman, a frequent enter- Advanced studies were at Boston tainer at local Jewish events and producer University, where Nelson has taught. of recordings of Jewish music. Taubman's "My work responsibilities involved run- most recent recording is titled Jewish ning the jazz program for the university,' Lullabies and includes a Nelson song. he says. "I was heavily involved in building "Craig and I will be playing a mixture a vocal jazz program, which was a particu- of both our music while working with lar interest of mine. My research in music instrumentalists from both of our bands:' education and my interest in that field Nelson says. "Because Craig and I have came to be a natural fit." played together often, this group is very Nelson says the religious focus devel- oped without intent. "The Jewish music just sort of hap- pened," he explains. "It was a natural culmination of different parts of my life. I just started writing, experimenting and sharing that music with friends. It slowly turned into a career. "I had been teaching music at a Jewish summer camp and saw holes in music that could be used for worship. I saw different ways that Judaism and music could co-exist and be refreshing and interesting to me:" For a while, Nelson worked with his brother, Jon, who plays bass and acoustic guitar. They both were part of the band Yom Hadash, but that association ended five years ago, when Josh sought new directions. Nelson's work on Sleepless in Seattle came at the invitation of Michelle Citrin, another Jewish musician and friend approached by the show's producer, a Citrin fan. The musical had a reading in New York last fall and is moving ahead. Nelson, married and the father of two preschoolers, has another new project, the Warehouse, a nontraditional Shabbat initiative that's going to be piloted in New York City Aimed at the 20-30 set, it will feature Friday night services with a live band and multimedia portions. "With the amount I'm traveling right Who's Who "The three Josh Nelsons have a funny little club," says the Josh Nelson who will perform at the Berman Center on May 1. "We're all around the same age and get calls for one another," although their music is very different. Here, a guide for the perplexed. Josh Nelson: Modern Jewish rock. Josh Nelson: "Kosher" gospel. Josh Nelson: Jazz pianist. 1111 ' S .1? Craig Taubman will share the stage with Josh Nelson. now, my time with my family is very pre- cious to me',' says Nelson, who grew up in the Conservative movement and now belongs to a Reform synagogue. "The best way I can imagine spending a Shabbat is being at home with my family and taking the kids to the park. "I feel really honored to be part of the celebration in Michigan. Rabbi Roman and I spent time together at camp in New York State, where he goes each summer to teach and I go to teach and perform. I'm also happy to be friendly with his family." For more on Rabbi Norman Roman and his 25-year anniversary at Temple Kol Ami, see next week's Jewish News. Josh Nelson and Craig Taubman perform 7 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. Tickets: adults $25 in advance, $36 at the door; students $18 in advance, $25 at the door. To purchase tickets, call (248) 661-0040 or email Cheryl@ tkolami.org . April 21 . 2011 49