A Johnny Mathis Homecoming
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Musical legend and San Francisco native Johnny Mathis, who grew up listening to Jewish melodies in local synagogues, makes a special appearance in celebration of the current exhibition Black Sabbath: The Secret Musical History of Black-Jewish Relations. It was Mathis’ 1958 recording of “Kol Nidre,” the Aramaic prayer intoned at the beginning of Yom Kippur that inspired the exhibition.
In partnership with the Idelsohn Society, Mathis will not sing, but reflect on his life in music and receive special awards for his contributions to the musical life of San Francisco. The evening also includes a conversation among exhibition curators about the history of Black-Jewish musical collaboration.