Beatmaster Socalled – acclaimed Yiddish-rapping, accordion-wielding, Klezmer-hip hop MC. Philly premiere of this “master magician mixologist” sampling hip hop beats, old Yiddish vaudeville & klezmer resulting in one shtetl-fabulous sound.

Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Place: The 5 Spot, 5 South Bank Street, Philadelphia
Time: 6:30/Doors, 7:30/Show
Cost: $10 in advance, $12 at the door
For advance tickets: The Collaborative, info@thecollaborative.org / 215-446-3031

Socalled hails from our northerly neighbor Canada and is descending upon the U.S. on March 22 with his Yid-Hop stylings. Playing with the likes of Matisyahu, Klezmer Madness, and a host of artistic rebel geniuses from around the globe this young singer, arranger, writer, producer, and mad beat chemist is teaching us what’s possible with the ingredients of yesterday and today. Socalled’s groundbreaking concept album “The So Called Seder: A Hip-Hop Haggadah” shook the sleepy Jewish world in April 2005 (to be re-released this spring by JDub Records), reshaping the Passover seder as we know it. It features a host of collaborations with everyone from Wu-Tang Clan members to Trevor Dunn to Hassidic reggae superstar Matisyahu. Socalled takes his fresh beats all around the world and is finally coming to Philly.

Of the birth of his music, Socalled has stated: “What should I make music about? I should try to represent who I am. When I began digging for samples, I found these old Jewish records, and they were a clue about this funky, old tradition that had been forgotten. Yiddish theater, cantorial music...all kinds of weird sounds…and the records had the most amazing breaks! And I realized that I could make my hip hop - my music from them.”

Famed klezmer clarinetist, David Krakauer has described hearing Socalled’s initial cuts for his “Hip-Hop Seder”: “I was completely blown away…This is a major work of art here, just an incredible thing. I’ve been pushing in those kinds of directions, but he’s a real pioneer and progenitor and master of hip-hop klezmer, and the spearheading person of this movement.”

A Groupie Report from Youngish & Yiddish Correspondent Jay Fab
A Hanukah party in NYC at the Workmen’s Circle? Sounded interesting, so I jumped in the car for the long ride from Philadelphia not sure what to expect. I heard there was a DJ playing some kind of strange hybrid Yiddish klezmer hip hop and being absorbed into the new wave of Jewish rock sweeping the synagogue scene I figured it would be worth the trip. You know there are some musical experiences that are so unique the memory of it will last long enough you’ll be telling your great grandkids about it – this was one of them. This is the story of being Bar-Mitzvahed into the world of Yid-Hop, you’ve got it – Yiddish Hip Hop…that’s Tha’ Shizzy. Socalled, aka Josh Dolgin, is a musical genius….someone who is able to absorb all of the genres of the past, combine them with the best of today, and bend the rules just enough to create something new we all can relate to. We were rockin’ to the accordion, we were rockin’ to the beat box, we were rockin’ to the guitar licks, shaking it to the piano, grooving with bass and violin, entertained with skits from Yiddish theatre…what? Yiddish theatre skits mixed in among the hiphopkele? What kind of mishpocha soul shakedown party was this? What’s going on here? Come find out for yourself!

Susan Watts will take the stage with Socalled, adding her unique flare to his groundbreaking sound!

“Philly’s klezmer trumpet star, Susan Watts, is something special.”
~ Mary Armstrong, Philadelphia City Paper

Trumpeter and vocalist Susan Watts represents the youngest generation of an exciting klezmer dynasty that reaches back to the Jewish Ukraine of the 19th century, beginning with her great grandfather, bandleader and composer, Joseph Hoffman who learned to play the cornet in the Russian army. Arriving in America in 1927, he settled in South Philly with his wife and children. A fourth generation musician from the Philly suburbs, Susan is the sole living purveyor of a klezmer style trumpet and sound which electrified Jewish American audiences for decades. Her engaging voice and one of a kind vocal style will carry you through a full gamut of emotions, will inspire you and “send chills up your spine”. Audiences around the world are dazzled and delighted by Susan’s unique virtuosity.

Daughter of the great klezmer drummer, Elaine Hoffman Watts and granddaughter of the renowned xylophonist and percussionist Jacob Hoffman, Susan is continuing her family’s legacy. Her repertoire is comprised of tunes that were handed down to her by her great grandfather, grandfather and mother. This rich repertoire includes many original songs written for weddings, family members and joyous occasions.

In addition to performing with a variety of noted klezmer musicians from around the world, Susan has shared the stage with Dudu Fischer, Theodore Bikel, Claire Barry, Boban Markovic, Socalled, Alicia Svigals, Margot Leverett, Henkus Netsky, among others. Susan is a member of Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All-Stars, Mikveh, and The Klez Dispensers. Recently, she scored and recorded the soundtrack for the award winning film, Breath and recorded the soundtrack for a documentary on Philadelphia klezmer, A Joyful Noise. Susan teaches at klezmer festivals, is an ambassador for women’s rights around the world and loves good coffee, fine vodka, singing and playing her trumpet.