Cantor tested, Oprah approved: The last big innovation in Jewish music was when Sam Goldfarb devised the "clay/play" rhyme in "The Dreidel Song." Needless to say, we Chosen Folk could do with some fresh chochmeh. Thank goodness for Joshua Nelson (www.joshuanelson.com), "The Prince of Kosher Gospel Music," who introduced us to his soul-inspired Jewish liturgies and garnered national acclaim faster than you can find the afikomen! Embraced by synagogues and hailed by Oprah as "the next big thing," Nelson is Judaism's latest bubee. Catch his Musical Celebration of Jewish Diversity at 3 p.m. Sunday, February 5, at the Central Reform Congregation (5020 Waterman Avenue; 314-361-3919). Tickets are $5 at the door. L'Chaim!
Go in for an ultra-sound! Medical ultrasonography uses high-frequency soundwaves to visualize soft-tissue structures in the body in real time. So who better than radiologist-slash-composer Al Hammerman to trust with your musical health? Hammerman (www.alhammerman.com), who has covertly composed for years, presents All New Songs, a jazz album in the style of The Great American Songbook. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 7, the Sheldon Concert Hall (3648 Washington Boulevard; 314-567-5090) presents this CD-release and benefit concert for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro St. Louis. Tickets (100 percent tax-deductible) range from $35 to $75 and include the CD and a post-concert reception. Hammerman will fill your heart with joy — and radioactive tracers!
