Zion80

New York’s Highline Ballroom will host the annual Soulfarm Music Festival this evening. Soulfarm, a jamband with Jewish and Israeli roots, have long used their festival as an alternative Christmas Eve celebration.

In addition to Soulfarm, this year’s event will feature performances by Zion80, Zeke Finn & Ta Shma. Zion80 explores Jewish music—from Carlebach to John Zorn and everything in between—through the lens of the Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Led by Jon Madof (Rashanim, Matisyahu), the 11-piece band features Jon Madof (guitar),
Frank London (trumpet), Matt Darriau (alto sax), Greg Wall (tenor sax), Jessica Lurie (bari sax), Zach Mayer (bari sax), Brian Marsella (keyboards), Yoshie Fruchter (guitar), Shanir Blumenkranz (bass), Marlon Sobol (percussion) and Yuval Lion (drums). Soulfarm have recorded with a mix of secular acts over the years, including Perry Farrel and Dispatch.

This evening’s performance will kick off at 9pm for those looking to escape the house after some family time. For more on Zion80, check out the January/February issue of Relix.