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Be Elevated: Toronto wedding band offers up something unique

October 30, 2012 | Jewish TribunecloseAuthor: Jewish Tribune Name: Jewish Tribune
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Be Elevated

Abby Feferman

As I wander the halls of the Rehearsal Factory on Geary Avenue I hear an assortment of music genres. Most are of the loud variety, but they are all different nonetheless. I reach the ’Rob Zombie’ room – named as such not because the famed musician once rehearsed there, rather for the zombie artwork that adorns the walls –and a different sound emanates. It’s reggae, but the words are in Hebrew. It’s Al Kol Eleh- a tune by famed Israeli songstress Naomi Shemer- with a twist.

Meet The Elevation Band, a Toronto-based cover band that is doing something outside of the box. Together since 2008, the band’s aim is to be a great cover band, while having a trick or two up their sleeves. Not only can they rock out to favourites by Stevie Wonder and Lenny Kravitz, but they rewrite the music for classic Jewish songs, bringing them up to date and, in turn, making them relevant and dance-worthy.

Jono Landon, the band’s drummer and manager, feels passionate about producing quality music and being able to offer something a little different. While spending five years in Israel as a musician, he was exposed to what the country has to offer musically. “I think it's because the Toronto Jewish community has been sheltered from the amazing music coming out of Israel.” He explains, “That is why I love that I was able to bring it back with me”

Imagine dancing the hora at a wedding or bar mitzvah. Although the Hebrew words are familiar, you can swear the tune is a Red Hot Chili Peppers song. The energy in the room swells as the older generation connects to the classic lyrics and the younger generation grooves to the modern riff. The experience is elevated. The band is The Elevation Band.  Click Tags: Be Elevated culture current lifestyle music style wedding band