Synopsis

From ram’s horn to beat box, from Tajikistan to Argentina, The Wandering Muse explores the meaning of being Jewish by celebrating the ever-changing music of the Diaspora.

In the warm twilight of an Argentinean courtyard, a group plays a style of klezmer that combines tango and local folk songs. On stage in New York, an ultra-orthodox performer raps his faith in the Messiah still to come. Ugandan villagers chant Hebrew prayers in East African harmonies. And at a loft-party in Montreal, an artist mixes hip-hop and jazz with cantorial singing in a multilingual tour de force.

Ever since wandering in the wilderness, Jews have absorbed, exchanged and spread music around the globe. The reluctant nomads used their instruments as passports to the larger community, and as keys to the hearts. Along the way, liturgy went lyrical, the traditional turned popular. And oy begat joy.