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| Kochi Wins Awards And Provides Care The San Diego Jewish Men's Choir's album, "Kochi, " not only takes the listener on a musical journey celebrating of the long history of the Jews in India, but in the spirit of "Tikkun Olam, " repairing the world, it also helps thousands of children living in the Kalwa slums of Mumbai, India. The choir's artistic director, Ruth Weber, linked up with multi-award winning arrangers Ricky Kej and Vanil Veigas from Bangalore, India, and Danny Flam from New York, for the Kochi project. Kej was very interested to learn that at one time there were over 5, 000 Jews living in the little fishing village of Kochi (or Cochin as we call it in the U.S.) The Malayalan Jews, were the first to migrate to India during the Spanish Inquisition. Over time other Jewish groups immigrated there following centuries of persecution in other countries. The rulers of India welcomed the Jews and allowed them to build synagogues there and worship as they pleased. At one time there were over 70, 000 Jews living peacefully in India. Kej and Weber felt it would be wonderful to combine a group of historically relevant Jewish songs with the traditional instruments of India to create a feel of what happens when the two cultures mesh together, and to celebrate the history the two cultures share. It is fitting that the choir has chosen to partner with The Gabriel Project Mumbai, as a beneficiary of this project. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the "Kochi" album will go to this project which helps thousands of children in the slums of Kalwa, Indai by providing them with nutrition, literacy support, and basic health care. The "Kochi" album has been honored with two Global Music Awards as well as an award for Best World Beat Album in the Akademia Music Awards. KOCHI debuted at #3 on the Billboard World Music Charts, and at #7 on the Billboard Heatseeker Charts and is in regular rotation on 96 radio stations in the U.S. and Canada. Those interested in buying this album and supporting this worthy cause are encouraged to purchase the CD on Amazon.com. write your comments about the article :: © 2015 Jazz News :: home page |