Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Radio Remote Broadcasts Live from The Back Room in Berkeley, Ca featuring Sam Rudin: 6th Annual Merry Christmas from a Jewish Atheist Pianist

December 24 2023

Racketeer Radio KFQX presents Live Remotes, which broadcasts live Bands & Artists on air only on Racketeer Radio KFQX. Listen live at www.RacketeerRadio.com or the Racketeer Radio KFQX App, available on both Apple and Android Marketplace.

A Special Christmas Eve remote broadcast Racketeer Radio KFQX style

In Mr Rudin's own words: When I was much younger, I, like many pianists, would get some lucrative gigs during the holidays, playing the seasonal favorites in the background of parties and events. And I used to think, “wouldn't it be great to play this stuff in a concert setting, for actual listeners?"

Clearly, in terms of heritage and beliefs, my connections to the holiday are slim. But as a sentient being in the USA, I am fully acculturated, and as a musician, I couldn't help noticing that, if I chose carefully, and stayed far away from Rudolph and Frosty...hey, a lot of this music is really good - and not just good, but flexibly available to a lot of interpretations. And after all, it is an important part of our ever-diminishing shared culture.

So, in spite of the somewhat flippant headline, this will be an entirely respectful, and musically sincere, evening. So if you can't be with your family tonight, or if your own heritage and belief systems have you heading out for Chinese food - please stop by and and indulge in our shared musical tradition. And no!, the night will NOT include an obligatory chorus of "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel."

Originally aired: December 24 2023

Sam Rudin

The Back Room

Racketeer Radio KFQX