Years active 1999-Present Record label Kol Shira Genres World music, Jewish music | Website kolshira.com Albums A New World | |
Members Linda Wertz
Deb Singer
Valerie Davine Bills
Julie Anolik Cassell
Rita Offutt
Karen Charney | ||
Kol shira at bill sackter birthday celebration
Kol Shira is an all-woman music group whose performances fuse world music with their Jewish heritage. Based in Iowa City, Iowa, Kol Shira can often be found performing in festivals and community events.[1] The group, whose name translates from the Hebrew as "Voice of Song," features a mix of vocals, flute, guitar, piano, bass guitar, cello and hand-held percussion. Jim Musser, music reviewer for the Iowa City Press Citizen, describes the band as “exquisite” and “wondrous.” At the end of 2004, Mr. Musser ranked Kol Shira’s CD, “Voice of Song,” as one of the top six independent releases from the Eastern Iowa area.
Contents
Kol shira
History
The band was formed about 30 years ago by Linda Wertz and Deb Singer, both guitarists. Alison Weinstock, a flutist joined the band a few years later, and in 1999, singer Valerie Davine Bills became the lead singer of the group as the band shifted towards world music. At that time, Wertz switched from guitar to bass guitar. Julie Anolik Cassell, a local cellist joined the group around 2001. Karen Charney, a very talented musician in flute, guitar, and piano also joined the band as a pianist, and Rita Offutt became an additional vocalist. The band recorded their first CD, "Voice of Song", with those seven members, but then they received the news that Weinstock would be moving to Boston, Massachusetts. After holding auditions for local flutists, the band members decided to drop the piano and have Charney switch to the flute, her primary instrument.
Band members
Songs
L'cha DodiA New World · 2009
Henei Ma TovA New World · 2009
Keren OrA New World · 2009