Music at Asbury Presents Free Concert Series duoJalal and Friends “Romani Reach”

Asbury-Crestwood United Methodist Church is delighted to welcome Crestwood residents Kathryn Lockwood and Yousif Sheronick, aka duoJalal, to open Music at Asbury’s Tenth Anniversary Concert Season. Joined by two violinists and a cellist, duoJalal and Friends will present a unique program titled “Romani Reach,” highlighting some of the many ways that the folk music of Hungary’s Romani people have influenced classical music. The show will include commentary that allows audiences to place the music in historical and cultural context. Admission is FREE, but tax-deductible donations are gratefully accepted.

duoJalal: Kathryn Lockwood, Viola; Yousif Sheronick, Percussion

Min-Young Kim & Rachel Shapiro, Violins

Raman Ramakrishnan, Cello

One of the most significant musical genres in Hungary is the traditional folk music of the Romani people Non-Hungarian composers like Dvorak, Brahms and Haydn were all inspired and influenced by Romani music. “Romani Reach” will bring together both Hungarian and Romani influenced pieces performed by a diverse mix of strings and percussion. This wonderful program will feature works by Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Bartok, Kodaly, and more.

Like the marriage between Australian violist Kathryn Lockwood and percussionist Yousif Sheronick, of Lebanese descent, duoJalal’s music represents an organic amalgam of cultural traditions and musical styles. duoJalal moves from Classical to Klezmer, Middle Eastern to Jazz, with a skillful confluence that is natural, exploratory, and passionate. duoJalal has performed throughout the United States, Australia and Brazil. Kathryn and Yousif are co-artistic directors and ensemble in residence of the Telluride (CO) MusicFest as well as the Four Seasons in Music concert series at the Sands Point Preserve, Long Island, NY.

Music at Asbury was launched in November of 2014 by Lu Gmoser, founding producer of Asbury Summer Theatre, and renowned music educator, Dr. Earl F. Groner.  As a program of Asbury-Crestwood United Methodist Church, Music at Asbury is designed to serve as a social service to the community, offering free performances by some of New York City and the Hudson Valley’s finest musical artists.

Concerts are held in the sanctuary at Asbury United Methodist Church, 167 Scarsdale Rd, Tuckahoe, NY; ample parking is available. Admission is free of charge but reservations are strongly recommended; please visit www.MusicAtAsbury.com or call 914-779-3722 to reserve a general admission seat.

DuoJalal and Friends: “Romani Reach” is made possible in part by a 2024 Arts Alive Grant from ArtsWestchester.

The Rev. Jason Radmacher is pastor of Asbury Church and Mary Thombs is Minister of Music and Chair of Music at Asbury.