Skip to main content
Skip to main content
Updated 8/21/2024

Afro-Semitic Experience

  • C

    CT

Institution/Business Type: Performing Group

What is the Afro-Semitic Experience? Spiritual, soul-driven, cross-cultural music. "Imagine Charles Mingus sitting in with a Klezmer band, playing Gospel music set to the polyrhythmic pace of the congas." Carlos Ramos, The Rainbow Reporter

The Afro-Semitic Experience is a band of African-American and Jewish-American musicians who are dedicated to preserving, promoting and expanding the rich cultural and musical heritage of the Jewish and African Diaspora. Our music is a merging of the many elements of our cultures. Much of what we play has a strong spiritual center to it-our repertoire contains a heavy dose of music from the Jewish synagogue and the African-American church. We bring joy and enthusiasm to our performances and audiences are invariably on their feet asnd dancing before we are finished!! In performance we tell stories about what the pieces mean, how they relate to us as individuals, and how they reflect upon the relations between Blacks and Jews.The group performs as a duo and as a large ensemble of as many as seven musicians.

Find Me

David Chevan (he, him, his)
Job Title: Music Director
Phone: 203-214-8390
Address:
PO Box 6183
Hamden, CT 06517

Social Media:

Additional Content:

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

1998

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

1998

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Music - Ethnic / World

Additional Disciplines:

  • Music - Jazz

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Arts for Social Change / Creative Activism
  • Creation of a Work of Art (Including Commissions)
  • Residency - In School
  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
  • Performance / Concert / Reading
  • Residency - Community
  • Wedding / Parties / Private Gatherings
Seasons Active: spring, summer, fall, winter
Events Per Year: 36

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Elders
  • Families
  • General Public
  • Teens

Languages Available:

  • Hebrew

Geographic Reach:

  • National
  • International
  • Multi-State Region

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Chamber Music America

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Chamber Music America

Awards

Awards:

  • The Afro-Semitic Experience received the 2004 Award of Notable Acheivement from Temple Beth El, Poughkeepsie, New York

Special Designations

Special Designations:

  • NEFA Grant Recipient

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - Communications
  • Music

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - Communications
  • Music

Touring Artist

NEST Eligible Artist

Technical Requirements:

  • PA system with monitors

Fee Range:

$800 - $4,500

State of Residence:

Connecticut

Minimum Number of Performers:

2

Maximum Number of Performers:

7