Mah Tovu

"MAH TOVU is comprised of Ken Chasen and Josh Zweiback. Whether performing as an acoustic duo, backed by their band (including their producer and collaborator, Gordon Lustig), or joined by their friend and former partner, Steve Brodsky, Mah Tovu's dynamic and moving performances have gained a loyal and enthusiastic following across the country. A (NOT SO) BRIEF HISTORY: Mah Tovu was formed in 1991 when Steve Brodsky (now of Sababa, www.cooljewishmusic.

A (NOT SO) BRIEF HISTORY:
Mah Tovu was formed in 1991 when Steve Brodsky (now of Sababa, www.cooljewishmusic.com) and Josh Zweiback began writing and performing together. Both were advisors and songleaders for the National Federation of Temple Youth's Missouri Valley Region, and had grown up deeply involved in Jewish camping, youth programming, and Jewish music. They were soon in great demand at synagogues, youth group functions, and Jewish Festivals throughout the midwest.

Mah Tovu's first recording, ?Jewish Rock and Roll Singer?, (now out of print) was released in 1992, and quickly garnered them a loyal and enthusiastic following. They performed at the 1993 Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education in San Antonio, Texas, and gained national recognition as up-and-coming songwriters and performers. Appearances in Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado soon followed, and as Josh spent two years in Israel beginning Rabbinic studies Steve recruited talented Denver musicians for performances throughout Colorado and beyond.



Steve and Josh released their second recording, ?Only This? in 1996. A diverse and eclectic blend of styles, ranging from rock to reggae, soul, jazz, folk and gospel, ?Only This? was an immediate critical and popular success. Three of Mah Tovu's songs were chosen as finalists in the 1995 American Jewish Music Festival, and Steve and Josh continued to perform across the country: Oregon, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Indiana, and California.

In 1997 Ken Chasen, an accomplished keyboardist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, joined Mah Tovu. Ken was a childhood friend of Josh's older brother, Adam, and rabbinical school classmate of Josh's, and had known Steve from their days together at Goldman Union Camp Institute. Ken had spent several years in music production in Los Angeles before attending rabbinic school, and brought a wealth of talent and music industry experience to the band. Ken's high third harmonies gave Mah Tovu a distinctly "Crosby-Stills-Nash" vocal sound.

The threesome was invited to perform at the 1997 Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education (CAJE) at Stanford University in Palo Alto, and brought down the house with their rendition of ?Pharaoh, Pharaoh?, a parody of the 60's Kingsmen's song ?Louie, Louie?. It has since become a huge hit on the Jewish camp and youth group circuit. Mah Tovu have become favorites at CAJE, performing at the Conference nearly every year since."

-http://www.mahtovu.com/about.html