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Rashanim




Jon Madof guitar
Mathias Künzli drums, percussion
Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz electric bass

"[L]ike you've invited Dick Dale to do the music at your bar mitzvah."
NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday with Liane Hansen

"Hebraic motifs abound in [Rashanim’s] interplay…Hendrix and metal are lurking around in there too, and this mix can be electrifying"
The Village Voice

"Rashanim is one of the hottest young bands in the New Jewish Renaissance."
John Zorn

Rashanim is a trio of guitar, bass and drums/percussion combining the power of rock with the spontaneity of improvisation, deep Middle Eastern grooves, and mystical Jewish melodies. The 'Jewish power trio' is led by Jon Madof on guitar and includes Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz (Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony Braxton) on bass and Mathias Künzli (Lauryn Hill) on drums and percussion. The band gets its name from the noisemakers used during the raucous Jewish holiday of Purim.

Discography on Tzadik Records
The Gathering (2009)
Shalosh (2006)
Masada Rock (2005)
Jacob do Bandolim: Great Jewish Music (compilation, 2004)
Rashanim (2003)
Voices in the Wilderness (compilation, 2003)
The Unknown Masada (compilation, 2003)

Performances Include
Tzadik Poznan Festival (Poland)
Off New York Festival (Germany)
Leipzig Jazz Festival
Glatt Und Verkehrt Festival (Austria)
New York Jewish Music Festival
Washington DC Jewish Music Festival
Brooklyn Museum of Art
Brooklyn Academy of Music



© 2007-2009 Jon Madof


Photos by Dari Carlebach