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As
Jewish songwriter Jeff Janning strolls onto the Mandel JCC,
you know he is not there to work out. Wearing a bright
purple blazer over an open black silk shirt, with a large
necklace that reads "Jewish Star," popping from his neck, he
definitely projects a strong aura of razzle
dazzle.
"You should see my
tallit made by my wife Terri, a special effects seamstress
for Disney," winks the Los Angeles based composer "it's made
of a glittering fabric, and is decorated with the moon sun
and stars-all in gold. I look like a sorcerer. It's
gorgeous"
Like his glittering
tallit. There is nothing subtle about Janning, a native
Clevelander, who came to town to promote his recent CD
"American Jew."
As he sips an
espresso from the Cafe at the J. Janning says he has been
working on the "American Jew" CD for the past five years,
and it has been a life transforming experience for
him.
"This collection of
Jewish music is unique in that I have used my extensive
experience in pop music to incorporate Jewish melodies into
that genre," explains the entertainer. "The rhythm and
lyrics appeal to all generations."
Just as bagels have
gone main stream, Janning is hopping Jewish music like his
will soon have a wider, broader market. "I know my version
of the "Shema" is relaxing and inspirational enough to
prevent road rage," he says confidently. "While snarled in
traffic I recommend listening to "American Jew," sitting
back and calmly waiting for traffic to move."
Along with writing
music for such stars as Anthony Newly, Engelbert Humperdink,
and Wayne Newton, Janning is also a skilled audio/video
engineer. He has built a career designing home audio/video
systems. He used those skills when putting together his
CD.
Janning's interest
in writing and playing music began at age 14 when he lived
in East Cleveland. "A buddy of mine from Shaw High School
invited me over to hear the "Theme from Peter Gunn, by Henry
Mancini that he learned to play on his guitar," recalls
Janning. "That music blew me away. I wanted to learn to play
the guitar just like him.
His friend sold him
the guitar for seven dollars, Janning taught himself to play
and he has been making music ever since. "While other people
were buying drugs, I was buying music and sound equipment,"
he says.
Although Janning,
55, has been composing music most of his adult life, the
impetus for the "American Jew" CD is a direct reflection of
his involvement in his Conservative Synagogue, Burbank
Temple Emanu El.
Five years ago he
was asked to write a song for a prominent couple in his
congregation. The upbeat song he wrote was such a big hit he
received a five minute standing ovation. "I realized that
evening there was a real market for Jewish Music that
reflected popular music from the '60's, '70's and '80's," he
says. He spent the next years writing and composing songs
for his CD. Because he felt such a strong connection to his
Synagogue, the CD even includes the voices of his Rabbi and
the members of the sisterhood.
"My dream is that
Jewish Music and upbeat songs like "Amen Hashem," will serve
as an entry point to motivate people to come back to
Judaism," he says. "Who would have thought when I was
confirmed at Beth Am in 1959 that I would come back to
Cleveland to talk about a CD filled with Jewish Music that I
wrote. How wonderful to have music rekindle the light of the
Lord in all of us."
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