Oklahoma-born, Texas-reared, and now living in New Orleans, multi-instrumentalist Mark Rubin is an unabashed Southern Jew, known equally for his muscular musicianship and a fearless, larger-than-life persona that has earned him the respect of legends in the industry. Over an accomplished 40-year career, he has accompanied or produced a virtual who’s-who of authentic American traditional music, while straddling numerous musical genres. In 1990 along with banjo virtuoso Danny Barnes he formed the Americana pioneers Bad Livers, ushering in a generation of alternative bluegrass and acoustic bands, many who name check the group as their greatest influence. In 2015, Rubin stepped out as a solo artist with his latest release "Triumph of Assimilation'' garnered rave reviews and debuted at #13 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart. He continues to be a first call tuba and bassist in the Yiddish Klezmer community, performing nationally and internationally.
Originally from Woodstock NY, now based in New Orleans, Sariyah Idan is an awarded singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, captivating performer, and community organizer. Jazz and folk trained, hip-hop educated, and influenced by Latinx/Caribbean sounds and her Jewish roots, she possesses an "ability to seamlessly combine a wide variety of disparate styles and sonics into a memorable sound all her own," (Tinnitist). She views honoring traditions of both influences and ancestors as cultural activism. Sariyah is a gifted facilitator of arts-based dialogue, encouraging deep listening, compassion, and action towards justice. She co-authored the declaration and produced the event, Jewish Artists For Palestinian Liberation.