HUMOR, PASSION AND KLEZMER
Trying to categorize the Rabbinical School Dropouts is no easy task. The 10-piece klezmer, funk and rock band finds its inspiration from such diverse sources as Frank Zappa, Raymond Scott, Martin Denny, Charles Mingus, Bernard Herrmann, Shostakovich, They Might Be Giants, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Nusrat Fatah Ali Khan.
“When I write music for the Dropouts, I’m not too concerned with what style it is, or if it fits into any given tradition. I just make sure that it sounds ‘Jewish,’” said band co-foudner Jon-Jon Friedmann, who writes a good portion of the Dropouts’ repertoire. “I often mix musical ideas rather haphazardly … the modern klezmer music I write is more self-conscious than it is conscious of musical standards and norms.”
“I am very concerned with creating a sound that is undeniably Rabbinical School Dropout,” he said, adding, “I consider my music clever and pretentious.”
The San Diego-based band, started by one-time rabbinical students Michael, Hank and Jon-Jon Friedmann — brothers — consists of bassoon, tablas, upright bass, theremin, bass clarinet, oboe, trombone, saxophone, electric guitar, drums, toy piano and others. Often described as “esoteric space klezmer,” the Rabbinical School Dropouts find equilibrium between passion and humor in their music and performances.
“It is no secret that the Rabbinical School Dropouts are passionate people, and this passion needs to be balanced by laughter,” Jon-Jon Friedmann said. “When we try to be completely serious, our music suffers. And whenever we have a successful performance, it’s because we’re happy and laughing. The sort of music we perform doesn’t work with a straight face,” he added.
For Purim, the Rabbinical School Dropouts perform two concerts, presented by KFAR Jewish Arts Center — in costume, of course.
Lakeside Congregation, 1221 County Line, Highland Park; March 6, 8:30 p.m.; HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo, Chicago; March 7, 8 p.m.; $15, $12 in advance either show. (773-550-1543 or www.kfarcenter.com)
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and the protests on college campuses.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
