Gilad Atzmon's Blog, page 8
March 6, 2015
Jazz star: Jewish group who 'bullied' RNCM out of gig are 'enemies of Manchester'
http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk
The controversial jazz musician whose Royal Northern College of Music gig was cancelled has hit back at the Jewish group behind the protest – branding them 'enemies' of Manchester and the British public.
Gilad Atzmon was scheduled to perform at the venue last night but had his gig cancelled due to protests from the North West Friends of Israel.
The group put pressure on the college by accusing him of being anti-Semitic for what they claimed were his 'criticisms of Zionism, Jewish identity and Judaism generally, as well as his controversial views on Holocaust denial and Jewish history'.
Mr Atzmon insists Manchester and Britain are being repeatedly intimidated by Jewish lobbies, citing them as disloyal to the country and describing the occurance as 'extremely concerning'.
He told MM: “[Jewish lobbies] are not friends of Manchester or Britain or British people. They are serving the interests of another country [Israel] that many people around the world believe to be a criminal state.
“This lobby have come to Manchester and intimidated one of the most prestigious music schools to the point where the school cannot even guarantee the safety of its students.
“If I am subject to intimidation by a foreign lobby that is disloyal to this country and in total dismissal of British manners, this is a serious concern.”
The RNCM stated that the cancellation was entirely related to the safety of their students and not a political issue.
There were security guards at the entrance of the building yesterday. They checked anyone that tried to enter for student or staff ID in order to prevent any potential acts of violence.
Contrary to reports, the college looked into Mr Atzmon’s history and realised that he was a well-known humanist who worked with numerous Jews and was respected by followers of the religion.
The 51-year-old has also played with British musicians such as Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Robbie Williams, and Sir Paul McCartney. Therefore, the college claimed to have felt embarrassed by forcing the closure.
Mr Atzmon was born a Jew but has since developed controversial views on the religion. He admitted however, that he has no problem with the college but seemed concerned about the nature of the events that occured prior to his visit.
He added: “We send British soldiers all over the world to fight so called terrorism, we got ourselves involved in criminal war in Iraq and we see the state of the Middle East and at the same time no one is willing to tackle terrorism in one of the most important cities in Britain.
“We cannot have universities talking about jazz as part of the Civil Rights movement in America and then at the same time stop me from playing in an academic institution.”
A campaign group called Respect the People set up an online petition stating that the RNCM were constraining freedom of expression – which has accumulated nearly 2,000 signatures in 24 hours.
A statement from the group read: “Music is one of the few spaces where anything and everything is able to be expressed without the threat of censorship or intimidation."
Mr Atzmon hopes that he will be free to perform in Manchester one day.
“I came to live in this country because I tended to believe this is a free country and I really like British manners and I really like the way British people debate,” said the saxophonist.
“I’m not used to seeing a group that has alliance with a different state and I am unhappy with it. I want to have a festival to celebrate my freedom and one of these we hope will be in Manchester.”
Image courtesy of Richard Kaby, with thanks.
French cartoonist Zeon arrested for anti-Zionist work
GA: I met Zeon in Paris three weeks ago. He is A young genius, creative mind. Please spread the news. It seems as if Zion has declared a global war on the arts. Apparently, Zionists enthusiastically support cultural and academic boycott, they just don't like to be boycotted!!!
Brandon Martinez
The French cartoonist Zeon was arrested Tuesday morning … by four police officers of the Brigade of Repression of Delinquency People (BRDP).
[At 7am] four police officers woke the cartoonist to take him before the judge to the High Court Instance of Paris. A complaint appears to have been filed by the BNVCA (National Bureau of Vigilance against Anti-Semitism).
The complaint seems to refer to the drawing – for which Zeon had yet been released last year by the 17th chamber – representing a balance and unbalanced weight of several historical crimes, but also for another drawing, which was not retained by the prosecutor at the trial, representing a Palestinian child stabbed by a knife-shaped Israel.
The judge has indicted the designer of incitement to racial, religious hatred, by speech, writing, picture or means of electronic communication. Zeon refused to answer his questions. He was set free in late morning.
Quick reminder on the BNVCA
The National Bureau of Vigilance against Racism and Anti-Semitism was founded by the Commissioner of Police Sammy Ghozlan in March 2002 with Union support Jewish bosses of France and the Word and Light Association (offshoot of the Simon Center Wiesenthal).
According BNVCA site itself, this organization has a unique community privilege to make complaints of “anti-Semitic aggression.”
And Now The Independent-All Say NO To Zionist Hooliganism
It doesn't take a genius to notice that British media shows a real fatigue of Zionist's violence in our midst. This Manchester concert cancellation saga has brought a lot of attention to the vile tactics Jewish militant organizations are employing in our midst. For the first time, I detect a clear mainstream acceptance and support of my views and thoughts. If British Jews are concerned with antisemitism, and they should be, they better find a way to restrain their extremist Zionist elements.
Sign a petition in support of the Gilad Atzmon & The OHE: https://www.change.org
The Battle Of Britain
By Gilad Atzmon
What is common to both Gaza and Manchester?
This week, at least, Zionist aggression is one answer.
The Royal Northern College of Music (RNMC) stated yesterday that it could no longer ensure “the safety of all involved” after extreme intimidation by a foreign Zionist lobby that demanded they cancel my Orient House Ensemble’s music performance.
The Zionist lobby group behind the campaign expected the RNMC to reject me simply because of my views. But, predictably, their campaign backfired. The RNCM confirmed in its official statement, that its decision didn’t “reflect(s) any political view of the College.” On the contrary, the concert was cancelled because of “safety” concerns. The Zionist extremist group North West Friends of Israel (NWFoI), a lobby that proclaims its alliance with a foreign criminal state has deliberately threatened a precious cultural institute at the heart of Britain.
In the last two months, UK Jewish leaders have repeatedly complained about an alarming rise of anti-Semitism in Britain. I’d like to use this opportunity to advise them that intimidating Britain’s arts schools and constantly bullying one of Britain’s prominent jazz artists doesn’t reflect well on British Jews or Israel’s supporters. Paradoxically, it confirms that Zionists, like their opponents, support and believe in cultural and academic suppression, they just don’t like to be boycotted themselves.
Anthony Dennison, co-chair of the NWFoI, the Zionist extremist group that terrorized the music school, admitted to the Jewish Chronicle that the “rapid response to its campaign proved how powerful local activist groups like his could be.” Dennison is certainly correct. British people and institutions are scared of Zionist militants and for good reason. The recent brutal attack on George Galloway by a devout Zionist shows that we are dealing with a very dangerous collective that is spirited and motivated by the uniquely brutal actions of the Jewish State that does not shy away from killing innocent civilians.
I am left perplexed, is this how British Jews want to be seen by their neighbours- do they really want to be regarded as a bunch of intolerant thugs? Enemies of the arts? Book burners? This image certainly doesn’t reflect the many Jews I work with and who are my friends in this country. But this is precisely the image conveyed by the actions of Mr. Dennison, NWFoI and The Jewish Chronicle that gives such a thug a platform.
The take home message is devastating for Britain as well as British Jews. Once again Britain faces a battle for its survival as a free nation. If it wants to maintain itself as a universal home to the arts, intellectual exchange, tolerance and diversity, Britain must oppose any foreign lobby’s attempt to interfere with its culture as well as it politics.
P.S Please consider signing this petition
We... the musicians, artists, listeners, citizens of Britain and the world say:
No to intimidation No to censorshipNo to political pressureAnd, that we all must protect the principles of a free societyMarch 5, 2015
Mancester Evening News: College cancels Gilad Atzmon concert
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
College cancels Gilad Atzmon concert after petition against jazz musician at centre of Palestine-Israel row
By Chris SlaterThe Royal Northern College of Music say they have taken decision on 'safety grounds' after the acclaimed pro-Palestinan musician was booked
Gilad Atzmon
A furious row has erupted after a prestigious music college cancelled the concert of a controversial jazz musician.
Gilad Atzmon, 51, was previously a member of 70s star Ian Dury’s band the Blockheads. He was due to perform at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) tonight.
However the Oxford Road venue have now pulled the show after complaints about Israeli-born Mr Atzmon’s previously-expressed views about Jewish identity.
Bosses insist their decision to cancel the concert by the saxophonist, who has also played with Paul McCartney and Pink Floyd, was not politically motivated and was instead made on ‘safety grounds.’Atzmon, also a political activist and author, was born in Israel but has written several books which are critical of Jewish ‘identity politics’ and he has been accused of making anti-semitic comments.
A petition was launched on Monday against his concert in Manchester by the North West Friends of Israel (NWFOI) calling for the show by Atzmon and his band the Orient House Ensemble, to be scrapped.
It said: “What sort of signal does this send, not only only to the people of Manchester but across the UK generally that the highly reputable RNCM will likely be an unwitting partner in allowing Azmon the platform to spout his blatantly anti-Semitic diatribe to an unsuspecting audience?”
But Mr Atzmon, who denies anti-semitism, has criticised the decision to pull the gig and has threatened legal action.
Atzmon claimed the move was an example of “Zionist violence making it to Britain” and said he was considering legal action.
In a statement on his website he said: “It seems that the venue felt ‘unable to guarantee my safety.’
“Given that I’m now a pretty big boy, this would be somewhat amusing except that the terrible implication is that Zionist’s violence has now made it to Britain.
“They (NWFOI) suggested that my concerts were “fostering anti Semitism” which is obviously a complete lie in fact not once has anyone logged a complaint about my concerts or my talks.
“They also referred to the ‘sensitivity of Jewish students’ ignoring the fact that since its day of inception,
“The Orient House Ensemble has always included Jewish musicians and, if this is were not enough, many of our promoters and supporters are Jewish.
“Yes, my book is indeed critical of Jewish identity politics and exposes the exact same Jewish political lobbying which the North West Friend Of Israel yesterday exercised in Manchester”
A petition calling for the college to reverse their decision has so far attracted 1,952 signatures.
In a statement the RNCM said: “Over the past few days the RNCM has received a significant amount of negative correspondence relating to the booking of Gilad Atzmon and the Orient House Ensemble on Thursday 5 March.
“After careful consideration, and to ensure the safety of all involved, the RNCM decided to withdraw the concert.
“This decision was taken and actioned prior to the launch of an associated petition and in no way reflects any political view of the College.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Sign a petition in support of the Gilad Atzmon and the OHE: https://www.change.org
BBC News: Gilad Atzmon gig cancellation criticised
A venue that cancelled a gig by controversial jazz saxophonist Gilad Atzmon has been criticised for giving in to bullying.
Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music denied scrapping the concert by the Israeli-born star was "political", and said it was for safety reasons.
A petition by the North West Friends of Israel called for the gig to be pulled, claiming Atzmon is anti-Semitic.
He said he was targeted for opposing Holocaust denial legislation in Israel.
'Allegations of racism'
The petition said: "By allowing this performance the RNCM will be party to fostering anti-Semitism and the possibility of attacks on Jewish people and institutions in Manchester."
It added: "Gilad Atzmon's criticisms of Zionism, Jewish identity and Judaism generally, as well as his controversial views on Holocaust denial and Jewish history, have led to allegations of anti-Semitism and racism."
The petition questioned what "signal" it would send to hold the concert - which was due to have been staged on Thursday - on the same evening of the launch in Manchester by Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy of a campaign called We Stand Together, which aims to promote tolerance and unity among different faiths and cultures.
A counter-petition by Atzmon's supporters called on the venue to reschedule the concert and not to succumb to "pressure and bullying from external forces".
'Pile of lies'
Atzmon, who is also a political writer and novelist, said in a statement on his website that the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) felt "unable to guarantee my safety".
"As usual, [the North West Friends of Israel] have produced a pile of lies about my work and my writing," said Atzmon, who lost relatives in the Holocaust.
"They suggested that my concerts were 'fostering anti-Semitism' which is obviously a complete lie, in fact not once has anyone logged a complaint about my concerts or my talks."
The saxophonist said he was "critical of Jewish identity politics and the exact same Jewish political lobbying which the North West Friends Of Israel has exercised in Manchester".
Atzmon said he had referred the issue to his legal team.
An RNCM statement said: "Over the past few days the RNCM has received a significant amount of negative correspondence relating to the booking of Gilad Atzmon and the Orient House Ensemble on Thursday 5 March.
"After careful consideration, and to ensure the safety of all involved, the RNCM decided to withdraw the concert. This decision was taken and actioned prior to the launch of an associated petition and in no way reflects any political view of the college."
Dubbed the "hardest working man in British jazz", Atzmon has recorded and performed with such artists as Sir Paul McCartney, Sinead O'Connor, Ian Dury and Robbie Williams.
To Join Petition is support of the support of Gilad Atzmon & the OHE: https://www.change.org
March 4, 2015
Petition: RNCM Reverse The Concert Cancellation of The Gilad Atzmon & The OHE
Please join this battle for elementary freedom
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”
― Victor Hugo
It is our understanding that due to pressure from the Zionist Lobby group, the North West Friends of Israel, the concert was cancelled due to a "safety" issue.
We... the musicians, artists, listeners, citizens of Britain and the world say:
If the Royal Northern College of Music is committed to keeping Britain a free country, let music and speech flow freely. We call upon the RNCM to immediately reschedule Gilad Atzmon & The Orient House Ensemble’s concert.
We ask the RNCM to not set a precedence in succumbing to pressure and bullying from external forces. Music is one of the few spaces where anything and everything is able to be expressed without the threat of censorship or intimidation.
March 3, 2015
Manchester RNCM Was Bullied by an Extremist Zionist Pressure Group
The Royal Northern College of Music just posted its official cancellation notice..
The RNCM admits that cancellation of The Orient House Ensemble's Concert was due to safety issues.
Britain 2015 ... we are subject to constant Zionist terror ... we are all Palestinians by now...
http://www.rncm.ac.uk/news/gilad-atzmon-orient-house-ensemble/
Cancellation Notice:
Over the past few days the RNCM has received a significant amount of negative correspondence relating to the booking of Gilad Atzmon and the Orient House Ensemble on Thursday 5 March.
After careful consideration, and to ensure the safety of all involved, the RNCM decided to withdraw the concert. This decision was taken and actioned prior to the launch of an associated petition and in no way reflects any political view of the College. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Manchester Music School Surrenders to Zionist Lobby Pressure
By Gilad Atzmon
Yesterday I learned that my concert at The Royal Northern College of Music this coming Thursday had been cancelled due to Zionist pressure. I spoke with the RNCM's Marketing Director who told me that the concert was cancelled due to 'safety reasons.' It seems that the venue felt 'unable to guarantee my safety.' Given that I’m now a pretty big boy, this would be somewhat amusing except that the terrible implication is that Zionist’s violence has now made it to Britain. It took a few hours before I found out that it was the ultra- Zionist 'North West Friend Of Israel' that had put pressure on the music school.
As usual, they have produced a pile of lies about my work and my writing. They suggested that my concerts were “fostering anti Semitism” which is obviously a complete lie in fact not once has anyone logged a complaint about my concerts or my talks. They also referred to the ‘sensitivity of Jewish students’ ignoring the fact that since its day of inception, The Orient House Ensemble has always included Jewish musicians and, if this is were not enough, many of our promoters and supporters are Jewish. Then they argued that my book ‘The Wandering Who has been called ‘probably the most anti-Semitic book published in recent years’ forgetting to mention that it is a best seller in Britain, the USA and many other countries and has been endorsed by some of the greatest humanists of our time. They also forgot to mention that not a single country, including Israel, has banned it or declared it unlawful. And yes, the book is indeed critical of Jewish identity politics and exposes the exact same Jewish political lobbying which the North West Friend Of Israel yesterday exercised in Manchester.
And it’s worth noting that the Zionist pressure group substantiated their ‘arguments’ by referring to the writing of none other than Alan Dershowitz, currently implicated in a huge sex scandal. This puzzles me. Would the RNCM cancel my concert based on criticism of my work voiced by the likes of say, Jimmy Saville or Garry Glitter? You decide.
This morning I referred this issue to my legal team. I also learned that very soon a petition will be launched denouncing the RNCM and calling on them to put this matter right. In the meantime, please write or call the RNCM on:
T: 0044-161 907 5200
F: 0044-161 273 7611
E: info@rncm.ac.uk
I will keep you posted.
Gilad
March 2, 2015
Gilad Atzmon Quartet @ TheEveryman Studio
By Julia Price
http://cheltenhamjazz.co.uk/index.php?id=128
Photo by Jo R Sowell
Expect the unexpected – that should be Gilad Atzmon’s motto. Certainly, anyone pitching up to be in the audience for one of his gigs is in for a roller-coaster ride. Musically, Gilad takes the listener from the hinterlands of jazz, as occupied in former times by the likes of Albert Ayler, Pharoah Sanders and Roland Kirk, through to the crossover territory favoured by many contemporary alt-jazz outfits. Along the way, and to keep the diehard mainstreamers onside, he throws in a couple of standards for good measure. Not that there is anything standard or mainstream to his approach, but more of that later.
This Cheltenham date is special in that it coincides with the release of Gilad’s new album, ‘The Whistle Blower’, and tonight’s set sees it played in its entirety, albeit with the tracks differently sequenced. So the evening begins with an alto-led ballad, ‘The Romantic Church’, which features some subtle brush work from drummer Chris Higginbottom, and washes of synthetic strings underneath Frank Harrison’s piano. ‘Gaza Mon Amour’ gets the pulse racing with its catchy Arabian rhythms and plaintive melody. It seems to get Gilad going too, as he prowls about the confined space like a caged lion, roaring his saxophone into the lidless piano, the cymbals and every corner of the room.
Gilad takes up the accordion for ‘The Song’, another sorrowful tune on which Yaron Stavi’s lustrous bass tone was fully exposed as he floated into a wonderfully understated solo. This leads into ‘Let Us Pray’ which unfolds from a soaring soprano theme a la Coltrane over a tolling bell of a bass figure. Once again, Gilad lifts off into the stratosphere with a keening soprano solo followed by an equally intense flight of fancy from pianist Frank Harrison. The music is never static, its dynamic rise and fall owing much to Harrison’s ability to build a huge emotional edifice from a small cell of notes or a quiet repeated chord pattern.
The gentle ballad ‘Autumn In Baghdad’ is the only number in the first set that doesn’t come from the new record, though it sits alongside the new material with ease. Gilad then invites us to “whistle like builders” during the subversively throwaway title track that rounds off the first set.
The quartet return with ‘For Moana’, a lovely lament for soprano and piano with a discrete underscore from bass and drums. This leads into the Ayler-esque ‘To Be Free’, where Atzmon and Harrison whirl about the tune like dervishes. Another irresistible ballad, ‘Forever’ follows, and confirms that Gilad composes with his heart as much as his head.
It had been a long wait for the diehards, but they got their reward in the form of ‘Yes and No’ and ‘Here Comes That Rainy Day’. Jaws dropped all around as Gilad displayed his incredible chops on Wayne Shorter’s tune, whilst the latter standard featured a bravura bass solo from Yaron Stavi. Drummer Chris Higginbottom got his chance to let rip on ‘The Burning Bush’ – according to Jazzwise’s Jon Newey, another of Gilad’s ‘angry’ tunes. Though that’s not quite the whole story, as it morphs into an ethereal duet for synth and accordion before it’s done. And just in case we’d missed the point of any of Gilad’s barbed anecdotes or corny jokes, the band reprise ‘The Whistle Blower’ to send us merrily on our way.
©2015 Julia Price
To Buy The Whistle Blower online:
