Biography
The Helene Engel Trio began in Montreal in 2005 and has since been performing with their show "VOYAGE."
A native of Paris, France, Hélène Engel is a specialist in Jewish folklore singing in Yiddish, Hebrew, and Judeo-Spanish, English, French and numerous other languages. Singer, musicologist, composer, lyricist and arranger. She is passionate about every aspect of Jewish music, from ethnological field work collecting old songs to new compositions, from traditional folk songs to discovering exceptional and unknown melodies. Her tours include regular appearances at festivals in France and elsewhere in Europe. Now based in Montreal, she occasionally sings as cantorial soloist at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom. Her 5th recording, VOYAGE, was launched in October 2007.
Ex- mathematician, Henri Oppenheim drifted since 1997 into accordion. He directed the Kleztory group for 4 years, performing with the Montreal and the Quebec Symphony Orchestras. He expanded the scope of his musical experience through composition, arrangements, directing, accompaniment, even production. He collaborates with Helene Engel since 2004.
Classically trained violinist Marie-Neige Lavigne now plays different musical styles, from Gypsy Jazz to the contemporary compositions of her trio « Cord’Âmes », while granting ample space to the Jewish and Quebecois folklores. As she said to Helene Engel, when they started their collaboration in 2005, « the music of the world breathes through the strings of my violin » .
Instrumentation
Helene Engel: Lead Vocal + Guitar + Percussion
Henri Oppenheim: Accordion + Percussion + backing vocals
Marie-Neige Lavigne: Violin + Backing vocals
Discography
RECORDINGS
VOYAGE – CD – HE 007
Jewish songs from all over the world and modern compositions
AY LU LU - CD
Songs in Yiddish, French and English. About childhood, times forever gone, and continuity of a tradition from one generation to the next. The booklet includes the lyrics in Yiddish and their translation into French and English as well as a brief note about each song.
With F.A.C.E. school choir
ERRANCES – CD – USA 92
This album draws a parallel between the expulsion of Jews from Spain and the landing of the first Jewish immigrants in North America. A savoury blend of Sephardi and Ashkenazi folklores (Spain, Middle-East, Maghreb, Russia, Poland, Romania...) and of ancient and contemporary repertoire.
LA SERENA – CD – EB 88
Sephardic folklore (ladino). Ancient romances in Jewish-Spanish from Europe and the Middle East.
CHANSONS TRADITIONNELLES JUIVES – CD – EMA 8544
Songs in Hebrew, Yiddish and Jewish-Spanish
Links
| http://www.helene-engel.com |