Oprah approved by the Afro-American Jew to sing gospel music with lyrics in Hebrew folk festival? This is only part of what is in store in Lowell this weekend folk festival, which runs today through Sunday.
The annual festival of free features are well-known folk genres mavens: western sweep Hot Club of Cowtown, bluegrass steep Canyon Rangers "and" Louisiana dance music from the Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band. But there is a reggae former Gladiator, Clinton Fearon, polka courtesy of Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push, r and b of Swamp Dogg, urban funk dance Beat Ya Feet Kings with a black lane, the Gospel of the kings of harmony, and, further, the music of the countries Latin America, Korea, Armenia, Egypt, Ireland, India and Cape Verde.
This is a friendly cultural Mashup, where 36-year-old singer, pianist Josh Nelson - "The Prince of Kosher Gospel" - should feel right at home.
From early childhood, Nelson attended the black-and-white Jewish temples. Raised in New Jersey and Senegalese heritage, he worked for many years as a teacher of Hebrew.
"I made the connection between black music, gospel and Hebrew, after hearing emotional cantor in Israel," said Nelson. "Many black churches sound came from Africa to Christianity."
Nelson, who often tours Europe, and Israel, considers Jews and African-American culture have much in common.
"When a group of people live in the ghetto, are cruelly and ostracized, begins wailing, soul sound in their sacred music," he said.
Nelson went to college in Israel and worked on a kibbutz. According to him, Jewish influence, naturally - it is his devotion to the black church music that's strange.
"Even as a child, I was obsessed with Mahalia Jackson," he said.
And this obsession with big stars gospel of the twentieth century led to his appearance on "Oprah."
As a young man, Nelson became friends with Jackson in the living members of the group. Through them he met and played with Aretha Frankin. And this led to friendship with Vernita Lee, mother of Oprah's.
She invited me to spend Christmas with her in Milwaukee, "said Nelson." She knew I did not have plans for Christmas. I usually go bowling on Christmas.
When Oprah heard emotional voice of Nelson, she invited him to become one of its Next Big Things in 2005.
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