I'm truly honored to be the only non-political email in your inbox this morning!
That's right -- I'm not asking for your vote OR for a contribution! Of course, you're still more than welcome to send me money or write me in as a candidate for "Pied Piper of Maryland." If asked to serve, I shall...
Nah, what I'd really like is for you to come hear me play, make occasional awkward eye contact, force a smile or two, and (hopefully) clap after each musical selection.
Lots of gigs coming up. As always, check social media and my website for the latest updates, but here are a few I wanted to highlight:
Thursday, October 31 -- A special Halloween swing dance for Chileswing at CCBC Catonsville, in "The Barn." 9 to 11 pm. Admission is just $6 ($4 for students). Seriously, what could be scarier than a loud clarinet?
Sunday, November 3 -- Daryl Davis & Seth Kibel — Jewish Record Labels of American Roots Music -- 11:30 am
This is another one of my very special themed shows with the legendary Daryl Davis at the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center, near Dupont Circle. Last time, we celebrated the music of Chess Records, the seminal early blues and rock and roll record label founded by the Jewish brothers Leonard and Phil Chess. For this program, we’re going to celebrate the music produced by a number of other highly influential record labels run by Jewish record producers. And we'll be joined by bassist Sam Goodall, drummer El Torro Gamble, and a very special guest -- award-winning blues diva Jenny Langer (of Moonshine Society and The Boneshakers). This will probably sell out, so get your tickets right now. Click this link for more info and to get those tickets!
Children under 7 years old attend free of charge and are encouraged to dance! Starting at 10:30 AM, coffee and bagels from Baked By Yael will be available on site for purchase. $19, $17 students, children under 7 are free!
Oh, and all this weekend, I'll be playing a series of concerts, all of which are open to the public, in and around the greater Baltimore area, with concert pianist Daniel Weiser. It's a fabulous program that explores the the territory where classical music, jazz, AND klezmer all meet! We've got performances on Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening, AND Sunday evening!
These are intimate house concerts (and one at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation), but I'd LOVE to see a few familiar faces there. Oh, and later in November we'll be doing several concerts of the same program in New Hampshire and North Carolina. If you've got any friends in those states, please direct them to Amicimusic.org for more info.
I hope to see everyone sometime over the next month! But make sure you vote, as well! That's ALMOST as important as hearing me perform.
All joking aside, I'll just add my little squeaky voice to the giant chorus of people exhorting you to vote, and to support democracy, tolerance, and equality in these troubling times. And if I've learned anything from the last year of MY life, it's that music truly can make you forget, at least for a brief moment, the stresses and sorrows that try to drag you down.
- Seth