Feb. 25, 2014 Jake Marmer’s “Hermeneutic Stomp”

jake_frank_greg copy

Jake Marmer is a poet and performer. His first record, “Hermeneutic Stomp” (Blue Thread Music, 2013) has featured jazz-klez luminaries Frank London, Greg Wall, Eyal Maoz, and Uri Sharlin, and brought together diverse poetic traditions, jazz, klezmer, new and ancient improvisation techniques. It was hailed as a “soulful narrative line in counterpoint to… language-drunk abstractions” (The Jewish Week) and a “thought provoking debut” (All About Jazz). His poetry collection, “Jazz Talmud” was published by Sheep Meadow Press in 2012. Currently a doctoral candidate at the CUNY Graduate Center, he lives in Philadelphia with his wife and son. He frequently contributes to the Forward and Tablet Magazine, and has recently co-hosted North America’s first Jewish Poetry retreat at the KlezKanada Festival. For more information, see http://jakemarmer.wordpress.com.

“Hermeneutic Stomp,” Jake’s full-length album of poetry-and-music was released from the Blue Thread Records (Jewish Currents) on October 14th. The album features luminaries of avant-jazz-klez Frank LondonGreg WallUri Sharlin, and Eyal Maoz.

Combining music, poetry, and improvisation, Hermeneutic Stomp exemplifies Blue Thread’s goal of radical and profound engagement with Jewish heritage. Riffing on Talmudic forms and cadences, chasidic chants, and midrashic innuendos, the CD is also firmly rooted in the American avant-garde tradition.

George Robinson’s review for the Jewish Week here.

See Eyal Reuveni’s AllAboutJazz review here.

Menachem Feuer’s insightful analysis here and here.

And, Matthue Roth’s Jewniverse review here.