Choose a box, any box, and the Real Vocal String Quartet will think outside it. They’re a string quartet and a women’s vocal quartet. They play Irish fiddle tunes and Brazilian choros, chamber music and wild improvisation. They backed up Feist on her indie-pop hit Metals, which Jon Pareles of the New York Times named his favorite album of 2011, and appeared with her on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Rik Malone of KQED Arts has described their music as “by turns beautiful, haunting, mesmerizing, and foot-stomping fun.” The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recently sponsored the quartet on a tour to Eastern Europe as musical ambassadors for the American Music Abroad program. Their self-titled debut album is a “marvelous accomplishment” and a “breathtaking bouquet with one luscious hybrid after another,” according to KQED’s California Report, and their brand new album, Four Little Sisters, is a wonderful blend, according to AcousticMusic.com, of “Irish reel, Persian echoes, Appalachian down-homery, prog-ish rock and very generous slices of classical, neo-classical, and meta-classical improvisation set off by multi-layered vocal rondos, refrains, ritardando, and relish.”

Violinist and vocalist Irene Sazer founded the group seven years ago. An original member of the famed Turtle Island String Quartet, she wanted to combine her musical passions – chamber music, improvising, composing, and singing. She found ideal collaborators in Alisa Rose on violin and vocals, Dina Maccabee on viola and vocals, and Jessica Ivry on cello and vocals. The Real Vocal String Quartet brings together a world of music and a wealth of musical possibilities.

The Bay Area’s True Life Trio weaves sumptuous vocal harmonies and sultry rhythms from far-flung lands like Macedonia, Albania, South Africa, and Louisiana to create a glorious musical patchwork of tradition and improvisation, classic folk tunes and bold originals. With Leslie Bonnett on fiddle, percussion, and vocals, Briget Boyle on guitar, percussion, and vocals, and Juliana Graffagna on bass, percussion, and vocals, the trio continues a musical collaboration that began when they were members of Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble. They’ve just released their first album, Home, a collection of songs inspired by the rich traditions of Eastern Europe and the Americas.

Visit Real Vocal String Quartet's website

Visit True Life Trio's website

Visit the Jewish Music Festival's website

True Life Trio photo by April Renae