A S E F A M U S I C - Testimonials

Testimonials & Photos
in concert | private events | clinics/workshops

A musical experience is something shared by musicians and listeners in the same moment. Since Asefa is a collective, including the listeners' perspective is valuable to us and everyone. We may play the music, but without the audience we would be like a tree in the forest that fell with no one around to hear it. Did it make a sound?

We want to know what you think about our sound. Don't be shy :)
See what others have to say about us below.

In Concert
One might call this a musical journey, but that's too mushy. Anthropological? Too dry. Asefa celebrates a living and indomitable music that pops up everywhere, on various continents, in rural and cosmopolitan forms. This is alt-country like you've never heard it. This is jazz from unexpected contexts. This is Mitteleuropean proto-blues. This is music that honors both ritual and experimentation, reminding us of the vitality and variety within the Jewish tradition -- a tradition that is, given the Diaspora, everyone's to a degree. Listen and trace your own roots, whatever they are.

Jon Zobenica

...Great music, great players, full of energy. Guys your instruments reminds me of my mother land "Africa". keep up the good job! You are the best because your energy with the flute/sax revibrate the strength of crew....more grease to your elbow.

Ike Ejiogu

I was particularly captivated by the circular lines being played by the Ud. They reminded me of what I like about other music such as acoustic country blues and Indian classical music. The music spoke to me in a heavy way.

Wills Glasspiegel - 12/17/06

You guys rock! I was blown away and moved by the jamming sound you create. All the percussion and the sax/oud combo was really cool. I can't wait for the album that I just bought and I can't wait to see you guys perform again!

Jeremy Riggles

Dear Sam and Orchestra,
Last night my wife and I were privileged to witness your performance. Wow! We were truly impressed with your beautiful style of music! I especially loved the way you played some of the Klezmer songs and the old Chassidic Melodies.

Mendel Meyers

I've had the good fortune of listening to Sam Thomas and Asefa several times and their performances are entertaining, moving, and inspiring. Sam and Asefa are all accomplished musicians. Whether Sam is playing a mournful niggun on clarinet or the whole band is caught up in a frenetic Sephardic groove, the audience is always engaged.

Les Krevsky

Sam Thomas' Asefa epitomizes the dynamism of contemporary Jewish music. While respecting tradition, Thomas has re-interpreted many melodies to make them conducive to his improvisational bent in which he has used a wide array of influences to shape new territories. His work is truly inspiring and shouldn't be missed.

Stephen I. Klein

asefa is a true musical experience that leads down many dusty ancient roads and misty cobble stone alleys. the fusion of world music, new jazz and middle eastern vibes are a tasty treat to the music lover in all of us. Kudos to Sam, Shanir and the rest of the band!

Gary Levine

add your own thoughts... | concert music page

Private Events
My wife and I were recentlyİprivilegedİto have Asefa perform at our wedding. The Jewish tradition of the wedding celebration entails not only accompanying the bride and groom, but gladdening their hearts, magnifying their joy by rejoicing with and for them. From the warm and tasteful Mediterranean music Asefa played as our guests arrived, welcoming them into the aura of our union, to the soulful old-world shtetl tunes they played to accompany us to the wedding canopy, to the anything-goes hysteria of the hora dancing (where I didn't know if they kept stepping it up to drive me to dance harder or if I were dancing harder to spur them on to play more wildly), to the groovy jazz of the cocktail hour, to the last freestyle klezmer set they put on to deepen our feeling of connection to tradition creatively transmuted into something effervescent and fresh - they were an integral part of what filled our hearts with joy as we celebrated the greatest day of our lives.

Not only do all the members of Asefa brim over with ebullient musicality, playing a multitude of instruments and shaping a full palette of soundscapes, they are - all of them - delightful people. Rather than merely accompanying our wedding, they made us feel that they were happy to take part in our joy, to be active members in our celebration, to do not just a job but a mitzvah. To that end, Sam worked with us gracefully and patiently before the wedding in preparing a timetable and choosing musical styles to suit each stage of the wedding. And during the wedding, the band was entirely flexible and sensitive in adapting in real time to whatever atmosphere was needed at any given point, always right on cue to create the right mood.

On every count I can think of, Asefa is a class act. May they continue to share their music and spread their groove in a world in sore need of some sincere soul. They are chock full of it and generous too.

David and Di Diamond, Married in Bloomingburg, NY, 2012

Asefa recently played at our annual Dinner Dance, and received unlimited kudos from our guests. İPeople were so grateful to get away from predictable, "canned" music, and they truly appreciated Asefa's excellent musicianship. İIf you value creativity, professionalism, and a cool vibe, you would be wise to take a listen. İTheir repertoire, including Sephardic and Ashkenazic songs, and ability to connect with the listening audience really sets them apart from other bands. İWe can't wait to make another simcha just to have them back!

Jane and Avi Shaul, Jewish Community of Atlantic Beach, NY, 2011 and 2012

I was simply thrilled with Asefa's greatİperformance at my wedding. For weeks afterwards, attendees kept raving about how amazing the music was, how unique the band's sound was, and how energized the dancing was because of it. People really appreciated the unusual twist on traditional Jewish melodies, which is the reason why I chose Asefa for my wedding. Thanks for making my simcha truly unforgettable!

Josh and Julia Weinberg, Married in Lakewood, NJ, 2010

Asefa gave us the most incredible gift at our wedding -- a rhythmic musical experience enjoyed by all. From the ceremony to the end of the reception, this group contributed to create the vibe we imagined. We couldn't get enough. We love Asefa and highly recommend them!

Susanna Shapiro and Gabe Seiden, Married in Washington DC, 2007

Thanks so much for your awesome performance at our wedding. Asefa really made the celebration unique and a lot of fun. Guests are still telling us how much they enjoyed theİmusic and what a "breath of fresh air" it was compared to all the other weddings they've been to. Your talent and professionalism made it a pleasure for us to work with you in planning our wedding, and we would not hesitate to recommend you to friends and family. All the best!

Tovah and Yaakov Freedman, Married in Teaneck, NJ, 2007

We were so happy with Asefa at our wedding. Their unique blend of musical styles - Jazz, Moroccan, and Klezmer (not to mention classic rock) - was the perfect fit. There is something so original and refreshing about Asefa's sound that you feel both removed from the everyday world and yet curioulsy at home. One foot rooted firmly in the past, the other grooving in the present.

Ted Nusbaum and Heidi Balk, Married in New York, NY, 2003

Asefa was the perfect band to perform at our wedding. The versatility of the music was exactly what we needed for multicultural nature of our families. The performance of various Jewish songs, Jazz and Funk was beautiful and created a sound that was original and enjoyable. This definitely added to our enjoyment of our most special day. The guests were extremely impressed as the band skillfully and smoothly moved from traditional Jewish wedding songs to romantic Ladino songs. In fact, the music was so amazing that more guests commented on their enjoyment of this unique band than praised the bride's wedding dress!