Sonic Stew

We live in a strange blender of a world, where musical borders are broken and crossed as the cultural pot continues to melt. Although musicians have always borrowed from other genres — from the first explorers to Elvis and Paul Simon — there's still plenty of room for mixing and matching.

It's no surprise, then, that Jewish music would be deconstructed and reassembled with new pieces. Jews have been uprooted again and again over the centuries, and just as their language has morphed into new forms such as Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), Jewish klezmer music has also changed.

Here in Colorado, several bands are experimenting: Los Lantzmun describe their music as "Jewish world fusion" that incorporates Eastern European and Middle Eastern flavors; the Klez Dispensers infuse classic klezmer with a youthful high; and Shalom Feivel and Rocky Mountain Jewgrass present a mix of American roots music and Jewish roots music, complete with the emotive storytelling qualities of both.

Hear a sampling of these three distinct takes on the same Old World music during tonight's Music in the Key of Jewish: A Little of This and a Lot of That From Around the World, presented by Swallow Hill Music Associations and starting at 8 p.m. at Congregation Rodef Shalom, 450 South Kearney Street. For tickets, $5 to $10, call 303-399-0035 or visit www.swallowhill.com.
Sat., Feb. 3, 8 p.m.