Review Text
The seventeen songs on ¨'A Bis'l Libe un a Bisele Glick', sung by Rebecca and accompanied on piano and other instruments by John, are drawn from the folk and musical theater tradition of Yiddish culture. Rebecca and John perform these songs with heart, humor and chutzpah. Along with old favorites like 'Rozhinkes mit Mandlen' and 'Dona Dona' are less familiar treasures like the poetic 'Zing Shtil' and the title song, a cabaret anthem, 'A Bis'l Libe un a Bisele Glick'. Rebecca Wave has been writing and performing for more than 25 years. After years of piano and cello lessons and stage and choral singing, she found herself with guitar in hand at 23, singing songs that poured from her heart and soul. After a period of traveling the country with various cats, dogs and people, performing in clubs, auditoriums and working a stunning variety of 'day jobs', Rebecca returned to Santa Barbara to raise four children and record five albums. Inspired by everything from classical to jazz, her rich, moving voice cuts to the heart, and her interpretations of jazz, pop and folk songs are fresh and memorable. John Sonquist is a pianist, accompanist, arranger, and chamber music coach. His many musical interests include classical, folk, jazz and playing guitar, 5-string banjo, and recorder. He has played chamber music and attended and performed at countless workshops and recitals for over 40 years. John started playing piano at age four and studied with the noted Hungarian teacher Margit Varro. He has accompanied numerous singers, and received acclaim for his role as jazz pianist-big-band-leader 'Zoot' in Westmont College's 1995 production of the musical 'A 1940's Radio Show'. Rebecca and John have performed sold-out concerts of Jewish songs in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino and English by classical and pop composers, including Rebecca, since 1994. They are currently available for performances throughout the Southwest.
