Born: May 28, 1974 Primary Instrument: Guitar
Rashanim: Jon Madof guitar Mathias Kunzli 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 (Pharaoh's Daughter) on bass and Mathias Kunzli (Lauryn Hill) on drums and percussion. The band gets its name from the noisemakers used during the Jewish holiday of Purim.
Discography on Tzadik Records Shalosh (2006) Masada Rock (2005) Jacob do Bandolim: Great Jewish Music (2004) Rashanim (2003) Voices in the Wilderness (2003) The Unknown Masada (2003)
Performances include Washington DC Jewish Music Festival Leipziger Jazztage (Leipzig, Germany) Kset (Zagreb, Croatia) Dachstock/Reitshule (Bern, Switzerland) Brooklyn Academy of Music (NYC)
