American Jew by Jeff Janning

Jeff's funny CD "DON'T EAT PORK' is also avaliable on CD Baby,

----- WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT "AMERICAN JEW" -----

"The songs are music that I felt inside of me my whole life. It brought tears to my eyes".....Faith Barnette.....Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

You have a beautiful , expressive voice....Nora Graham Los Angeles, CA

"God's Time Is The Right Time" sends chills through my body......" God Will Find Your Smile" moves me spiritually......I purchased both your CD as Bar Mitzvah gifts for a cousin. They loved them. Glen Kogan, Beechwood, Ohio

I have to confess, several of the songs brought a tear to my Eye ....... Bob Specer.. Tampa Florida

"Judah Maccabee/You've Got To Fight For Your Right To The Lord" reminds me of the musical group Kansas, wow it's great"....David Gold........Northridge Ca.

Loved your CD. You're so wonderfully talented.....Linda Steinbaum, Encino Ca.

I have it on my computer at work and I play it all day long

Miriam Ben Ora...... Paris France

I'm here with a friend and we just listened to your CD. Very professional. Sounds great. - Kathy Rhine Cave Creek, Arizona

So Soothing, I play it in my car everywhere I go ....Ira, Burbank Ca

THE "SGT. PEPPER" OF JEWISH MUSIC........Jason Zarcara

Last night while celebrating Shabbat we played your C D. It was absolutely delightful. ..... Lorraine & Jim Fermo, Chatsworth Ca.

I love it! I love it! I love it!..... Maxine, Burbank Ca

REVIEWS OF THE CD

------------- Jewish Entertainment Resources -------------

------ http://www.jewishentertainment.net/frameset.html------

Jeff Janning American Jew

by Judy Caplan Ginsburgh

American Jew is the first release by songwriter/musician Jeff Janning. Jeff draws on progressive contemporary pop music from the 70's, 80's and 90's and combines it with the spirituality of Judaism. He has written songs for such pop icons as Engelbert Humperdinck, Wayne Newton, Anthony Newly and many other recording artists. At the insistence of congregants at his conservative congregation in Burbank, California, Jeff began to compose Jewish music and they loved it. American Jew contains eleven of Jeff's original compositions. Lushly produced with lots of guitar (also played by Jeff) and strings, the album leans toward the traditional in lyrical content, but the songs are almost entirely in English. Jeff has a sweet gruffness to his voice which is well suited to the pop-rock style of his songs. The positive lyrics of "God Will Find Your Smile" talk of faith and hope. I particularly enjoyed this song. The title track, "American Jew" speaks of how we are no different from anyone else, but we are both American and Jewish and we must find a way to bring our Judaism back into our common everyday lives. "Cradled in the Arms of God I & II" are modern takes on death -- one from the perspective of a man experiencing loss and the other from a woman's perspective. They both begin with men or women reciting Kaddish enhanced by soaring strings. "From This Day On" is a beautiful wedding song where Jeff is joined on vocals by his wife, Terri. His "23rd Psalm" is very reminiscent of Pachabel's Canon in D beginning with a long introduction played in pizzicato by the strings. Also included on the disc is the song "Fight For Your Right to the Lord" which tells the story of Judah Macabee complete with a variety of sound effects. A brief and pensive melody of the Shema, like bookends begins and ends the disc.

MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE

SHOW BIZ COLUMN...by ...TOM KIDD

American Jew is a new recorded effort by artist Jeff Janning to bring together all these for whom Hebrew is no longer the common bond that it has been historically. Instead Janning speaks the language of music; a decidedly pop oriented approach to the lessons of Judaism. Here are the inspirational cuts including "God's Time Is The Right Time," "Torah Is The Music Of Our Lives'" and "As Torah Teaches You." This is a decidedly targeted product that is more light weight than genre leader Rebbe Soul but should find it's audience.

The Cleveland Jewish News

Using Rock 'n' Roll To Promote Judaism

by Arline Fine

As Jewish songwriter Jeff Janning strolls onto the Mandel JCC, you know he is not there to work out. Wearing a bright purple blazer over an open black silk shirt, with a large necklace that reads "Jewish Star," popping from his neck, he definitely projects a strong aura of razzel dazzle.

"You should see my tallit made by my wife Terri, a special effects seamstress for Disney," winks the Los Angeles based composer "it's made of a glittering fabric, and is decorated with the moon sun and stars-all in gold. I look like a sorcerer. It's gorgeous"

Like his glittering tallit. There is nothing subtle about Janning, a native Clevelander, who came to town to promote his recent CD "American Jew."

As he sips an espresso from the Cafe at the J. Janning says he has been working on the "American Jew" CD for the past five years, and it has been a life transforming experience for him.

"This collection of Jewish music is unique in that I have used my extensive experience in pop music to incorporate Jewish melodies into that genre," explains the entertainer. "The rhythm and lyrics appeal to all generations."

Just as bagels have gone main stream, Janning is hopping Jewish music like his will soon have a wider, broader market. "I know my version of the "Shema" is relaxing and inspirational enough to prevent road rage," he says confidently. "While snarled in traffic I recommend listening to "American Jew," sitting back and calmly waiting for traffic to move."

Along with writing music for such stars as Anthony Newly, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Wayne Newton, Janning is also a skilled audio/video engineer. He has built a career designing home audio/video systems. He used those skills when putting together his CD.

Janning's interest in writing and playing music began at age 14 when he lived in East Cleveland. "A buddy of mine from Shaw High School invited me over to hear the "Theme from Peter Gunn," by Henry Mancini that he learned to play on his guitar," recalls Janning. "That music blew me away. I wanted to learn to play the guitar just like him.

His friend sold him the guitar for seven dollars, Janning taught himself to play and he has been making music ever since. "While other people were buying drugs, I was buying music and sound equipment," he says.

Although Janning, 55, has been composing music most of his adult life, the impetus for the "American Jew" CD is a direct reflection of his involvement in his Conservative Synagogue, Burbank Temple Emanu El.

Five years ago he was asked to write a song for a prominent couple in his congregation. The upbeat song he wrote was such a big hit he received a five minute standing ovation. "I realized that evening there was a real market for Jewish Music that reflected popular music from the '60's, '70's and '80's," he says. He spent the next years writing and composing songs for his CD. Because he felt such a strong connection to his Synagogue, the CD even includes the voices of his Rabbi and the members of the sisterhood.

"My dream is that Jewish Music and upbeat songs like "Amen Hashem," will serve as an entry point to motivate people to come back to Judaism," he says. "Who would have thought when I was confirmed at Beth Am in 1959 that I would come back to Cleveland to talk about a CD filled with Jewish Music that I wrote. How wonderful to have music rekindle the light of the Lord in all of us."

The Tolucan Times

Toluca Lake Ca

Jeff Janning "American Jew"

By: Jason Zaccaria

After years of writing record reviews for the Tolucan Times, reviewer Jeff Janning has released his own CD. An album of what he calls "Progressive Jewish" music. The CD, although religious in nature, is steeped in songs stylings and orchestration based the pop music of the 80's and 90's. Kansas, Electric Light Orchestra, and Yanni come to mind when listening to the lush musical arrangements. All the songs were written, arranged and produced by the artist. They pack an emotional punch you might find when listening to Michael Bolton or Andrea Bottichelli although Janning is vocally more reminiscent of a pop Michael Crawford. Arrangements on tracks like "Torah Is The Music Of Our Lives" pyramid and cascade into classical movements with sobbing violin solos and Flamenco guitar flourishes. Everything you ever wanted to know about Hanukkah can be found on the track Judah Maccabee/You've Got To Fight For Your Right To The Lord." Janning claims the lyric to be historically accurate. This track serves up a number of sound effects including horses, lightning and marching soldiers. "God Will Find Your Smile," is reminiscent of the classic heart string pulling songs "Climb Every Mountain " and "I Believe "

Cover Graphics depicts a waving American flag; however, there is a twist. The stars have six points rather than the usual five. The graphic theme is carried onto the CD disk's art work. There are extensive credits given to local Burbank Temple Emanu El. The Rabbi and congregation appear on several tracks. My favorite is "Your Wedding Song," the best new wedding song to come along in years. This is the only track where Janning shares lead vocals with one Terri Janning. Another major player on this album is Andy Cahan keyboardist of the once chart topping Turtles. Cahan offered his programming, engineering and production skills to this package.

"American Jew" is a one of a kind, uniquely different, musical experience. The album although aimed at the Jewish market, "du" check the title, crosses religious lines. It tackles the subject of Jewish spirituality in a way anyone can accept it. Mr. Janning claims it is a "Mitzvah album." He claims each time you play this album something good will happen to you on that same day. While this statement may be over the edge, who among us couldn't use a little bit of luck. To put it another way "what could it hurt!"

---------- VIP's WHO OWN THE "AMERICAN JEW" CD ----------

RABBIS

Rabbi Schmolie Kornfeld - Rabbi Shlomo Schwartz

Rabbi Herschel Finman - Rabbi Mendel Lipscor

Rabbi John Spitzer - Rabbi Schmolie Kornfeld

Rabbi Shlomo Schwartz - Rabbi Mervin Tomsky

Rabbi Paula Rymers - Rabbi Ayla Grafstein

CANTORS

Cantor Barnard Savitz - Cantor Isaac Kriger

Cantor Hesh-Cantor Michael Russ

JEWISH RECORDING ARTISTS

Judy Caplin Ginsburgh - Doug Cotler - Craig Taubman

ACTORS & RECORDING ARTISTS

Melissa Manchester - Randy Bachman - Alan Parsons

Mrs. Henry Mancini - Adam Sandler - Kirk Douglas

Joanna Kerns - Tony Martin - Cyd Cherise

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