18-Year-Old Canadian Pianist Kevin Chen Opens Carnegie Hall Concert with Hatikvah

Last week at Carnegie Hall, 18-year-old Canadian pianist Kevin Chen, the winner of the prestigious Arthur Rubinstein Competition, created an unforgettable evening of music. 

Chen, known for his extraordinary talent, surprised the audience by making a spontaneous program change in a gesture of solidarity with Israel. This remarkable performance began with a stirring rendition of the Israeli national anthem, "Hatikvah," showcasing Chen's versatility and his commitment to bridging cultures through music. 

The audience was captivated by his heartfelt tribute to Israel, and the night will be remembered as a unique and moving experience in the world of classical music.

Enjoy!

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Throwback Thursday Comedy Showcase: Victor Borge and the Opera Singer

We never get tired of watching the mischievous piano comedy antics of the great Victor Borge, the Danish comedian, conductor and pianist who achieved great popularity in radio and television in the United States and Europe. 

His blend of music and comedy earned him the nickname "The Clown Prince of Denmark","The Unmelancholy Dane", and "The Great Dane."
 
He was born as Borge Rosenbaum to a Jewish family in Copenhagen. His parents were both musicians. He began piano lessons at the age of two, and it was soon apparent that he was a prodigy.

In this video clip Borge turns an operatic performance by Marilyn Mulvey into a hilarious operatic comedy.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

  

#Throwback Thursday      #TBT

Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: Victor Borge Plays Happy Birthday in Classical Composer Styles

We never get tired of watching the mischievous piano comedy antics of the great Victor Borge, the Danish comedian, conductor and pianist who achieved great popularity in radio and television in the United States and Europe.

His blend of music and comedy earned him the nickname "The Clown Prince of Denmark","The Unmelancholy Dane", and "The Great Dane."
 
He was born as Borge Rosenbaum to a Jewish family in Copenhagen. His parents were both musicians. He began piano lessons at the age of two, and it was soon apparent that he was a prodigy.

In this video clip from 1951, Borge played Happy Birthday in the styles of Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Brahms, Wagner, Beethoven, Strauss, Mozart, Irving Berlin, and Shostakovich.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.



#Throwback Thursday   #TBT

Throwback Thursday Comedy Showcase: A Classic Victor Borge Piano Medley

We never get tired of watching the mischievous piano comedy antics of the great Victor Borge, the Danish comedian, conductor and pianist who achieved great popularity in radio and television in the United States and Europe.
 
His blend of music and comedy earned him the nickname "The Clown Prince of Denmark","The Unmelancholy Dane", and "The Great Dane."

He was born as Borge Rosenbaum to a Jewish family in Copenhagen. His parents were both musicians. He began piano lessons at the age of two, and it was soon apparent that he was a prodigy.

In this video clip from The Dean Martin Show which ran on TV from 1965 to 1974, Borge gives a typical performance, combining comedy with his expert piano playing.

Enjoy! 

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.



#Throwback Thursday    #TBT

Tumbalalaika Around the World: The Boogie Woogie Kid

The Yiddish folk love song Tumbalalaika originated in Eastern Europe in the 19th century, but its exact origin is hard to pinpoint. That hasn't prevented it from being sung and played over and over, not only in places where Yiddish songs are sung, but just about everywhere in the world, in vocal and instrumental versions, in cabarets and in the movies.

Just as we have followed the songs Hava Nagila, Adon Olam, Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, and Abanibi as they took different forms as interpreted by a wide variety of singers, musicians, and dancers, we're continuing the series today that we started back in 2012, bringing you many interpretations of this universal courting and love song.  

This rendition of Tumbalalaika is by pianist/singer Matthew Ball. A former attorney, Matthew left the practice after he attended a hometown boogie-woogie festival.  He was so awestruck by the performances he saw that night, he left his career as an attorney to become a blues & boogie-woogie performing artist.  

Today Matthew is known online and on-stage as THE BOOGIE WOOGIE KID with a performance history that spans ten states, including everything from symphony appearances to Jazz and Blues festivals.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Throwback Thursday Comedy Showcase: Victor Borge Performs at the White House

Victor Borge (1909-2000) was a Danish comedian, conductor and pianist who achieved great popularity in radio and television in the United States and Europe. His blend of music and comedy earned him the nickname "The Clown Prince of Denmark","The Unmelancholy Dane", and "The Great Dane." 

He was born as Borge Rosenbaum to a Jewish family in Copenhagen. His parents were both musicians. He began piano lessons at the age of two, and it was soon apparent that he was a prodigy. He gave his first piano recital when he was eight years old, and in 1918 was awarded a full scholarship at the Royal Danish Academy of Music.

When the Nazis occupied Denmark during World War II, Borge was playing a concert in Sweden, and managed to escape to Finland. Even though Borge did not speak a word of English upon arrival, he quickly managed to adapt his jokes to the American audience, learning English by watching movies. He took the name of Victor Borge, and, in 1941, he started on Rudy Vallee's radio show, but was hired soon after by Bing Crosby for his Kraft Music Hall program.

Most of his humor centered on his relationship with his beloved piano and the funny variations on classical music that he created and performed to the delight of his audiences.

This performance was filmed at his appearance at the White House during the Eisenhower years.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.



#TBT   #Throwback Thursday 

Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: Victor Borge on The History of Pianos

We never get tired of watching the mischievous piano comedy antics of the great Victor Borge, the Danish comedian, conductor and pianist who achieved great popularity in radio and television in the United States and Europe.

His blend of music and comedy earned him the nickname "The Clown Prince of Denmark","The Unmelancholy Dane", and "The Great Dane."

He was born as Borge Rosenbaum to a Jewish family in Copenhagen. His parents were both musicians. He began piano lessons at the age of two, and it was soon apparent that he was a prodigy.

Much of his comedy has been preserved in his concerts and TV specials that are available on DVD, VHS, and now on streaming media. We laughed our way through many of the video clips available on YouTube before settling on this one to share today. It's called The History of Pianos, and has Borge delivering a tongue in cheek history lesson about the origins of his favorite instrument. It includes his explanation of how Beethoven was inspired to compose his Minuet in G. 

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.



#Throwback Thursday    #TBT

Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: Victor Borge Teaches People With Different Occupations to Play the Piano

Today's Throwback Thursday video takes us back 66 years to 1951 when Victor Borge was featured on many TV variety shows with his funny piano comedy.

In this clip, Borge shows how he teaches people with different occupations to play the piano. First a secretary, then a poker player, doctor, shoeshine boy, and sea captain.

Enjoy! 

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

The Great Jewish Comedians: Victor Borge in a Hilarious Opera Satire

Victor Borge (1909-2000) was a Danish comedian, conductor and pianist who achieved great popularity in radio and television in the United States and Europe. His blend of music and comedy earned him the nickname "The Clown Prince of Denmark","The Unmelancholy Dane", and "The Great Dane."

He was born as Borge Rosenbaum to a Jewish family in Copenhagen. His parents were both musicians. He began piano lessons at the age of two, and it was soon apparent that he was a prodigy. He gave his first piano recital when he was eight years old, and in 1918 was awarded a full scholarship at the Royal Danish Academy of Music.
 
When the Nazis occupied Denmark during World War II, Borge was playing a concert in Sweden, and managed to escape to Finland. Even though Borge did not speak a word of English upon arrival, he quickly managed to adapt his jokes to the American audience, learning English by watching movies. He took the name of Victor Borge, and, in 1941, he started on Rudy Vallee's radio show, but was hired soon after by Bing Crosby for his Kraft Music Hall program.

Most of his humor centered on his relationship with his beloved piano and the funny variations on classical music that he created and performed to the delight of his audiences.

In this video clip, Borge takes us through his hilarious satire of an opera performance.

Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.) 

Live, From the Catskills...It's Jeff Krolick at the Keyboard

The Catskills may not be as active as they were in their heyday, but that's not stopping the surviving hotel from entertaining its guests with lively shows. We're talking about Kutsher's Resort, which seems to be the only hotel left still operating as it did years ago, although on a somewhat smaller scale.

On Wednesday night we performed our sixth show of the summer at Kutsher's, bringing the jokes and funny videos of Jewish Humor Central to the audience in the Stardust nightclub. We shared the big stage with Jeff Krolick, a veteran performer with many years of Catskills entertainment behind him.

In addition to the 9pm to midnight entertainment, the daily activities sheet for Wednesday included Aerobics, Arts & Crafts, Pilates, Line and Folk Dancing, Tai Chi, Musical Quiz, Jewelry Making, Chair Yoga, lectures on parenting and Jewish topics, as well as Daf Yomi, Shacharit, Mincha, Maariv, and of course, three meals.

Jeff spent many years as the musical director and entertainment director at the Nevele Hotel in Ellenville, which closed its doors in 2009.

You may have seen him in Florida, in the Poconos, or performing with renowned singers. If not, you have probably heard his music performed by dozens of other talented artists for whom he has arranged and written unique works. Last night, he showed how to create a musical arrangement, and played his condensed version of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and a medley of Yiddish and Hebrew songs.

Here is a sampling of what Jeff has been bringing to the Catskills.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)
 

A Joke to Start the Week: Victor Borge and His Barber

Long before there was Old Jews Telling Jokes, there was The Funniest Joke I Ever Heard, a pair of 1984 television specials co-produced by Dick Clark and broadcast on ABC, in which celebrities shared their favorite joke.

A celebrity featured on the show was one of our favorite comedians, Victor Borge (1909-2000), the pianist, composer, songwriter, entertainer and actor. Born Borge Rosenbaum, he was educated at the Conservatory of Copenhagen. His hilarious performances and antics at the piano in his one-man show Comedy in Music earned him the title of Clown Prince of Denmark.

In this video from The Funniest Joke I Ever Heard, Victor Borge tells of a funny encounter with Mr. Schwartz, his barber in Denmark. Enjoy!

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11-Year-Old Piano Virtuoso Plays My Yiddishe Mama

When Ethan Bortnick was 8 years old, he was already being acclaimed as a piano virtuoso, and appeared wih all the popular TV hosts, including Jay Leno, Oprah Winfrey, and Martha Stewart.

This past September, now 11 years old, Ethan was a featured performer on the annual Chabad Telethon. Introduced by Larry King, Ethan plays and sings the classsic Yiddish song My Yiddishe Mama.

First we share Ethan's promotional video, made when he was eight, followed by his September perfomance on the Chabad Telethon.  Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)