Andrew Simpson: Music from the Jewish diaspora ……. here in Chorlton

Monday, 11 May 2026

Music from the Jewish diaspora ……. here in Chorlton

Chorlton Arts Festival just keeps giving ....... from paintings to poets, to drama and music .... its got the lot.

James Nissen

And last night we listened to James Nissen take us through what was billed as “Journeys in Jewish Song”, encompassing music from across the Diaspora with influences from classical, pop and jazz.

He is a researcher, teacher and musician, and has collaborated with arts and media organizations including Band on the Wall, the BBC, Music Action International and Olympias Music Foundation.

He says of his work, “I am an active community musician, and I have experience performing in a variety of musical styles, including pop, jazz, classical and klezmer/Yiddish song. I have also taught in university, school and community contexts.

The HE modules I have taught on include ethnomusicology, fieldwork and ethnography, music cultures of the world, music and consumption, and ensemble performance.

As part of my project on international music festivals in the UK, I am building a network for scholars to engage in collaboration and exchange in this area of research.”

But last night it was the variety of songs and his engaging performance which captivated the audience and made for a memorable evening.

Having looked Mr. Nissen up I was confident we were in for a memorable evening and for those who want to know more there is a fascinating interview in which James talks about his music.*

Location 99 Reasons, 99 Manchester Road

Pictures; “Journeys in Jewish Song”, 2026 from the collection of Andrew Simpson