Seeds of Sun Trio in Israel national day

It was indeed cause for admiration that so beleaguered a country like Israel should find the time and resources to send a music ensemble abroad – the Seeds of Sun Trio – to mark its 56th Independence Day celebration. Last year, Israel sent out a brilliant piano duo for the same occasion.

The Seeds of Sun, consisting of vocalist Michael Cohan, flutist Mettan Klein and pianist Yoav Polachek, under the auspices of the Israeli Embassy headed by Ambassador Yehoshua Sagi, regaled an audience at the Inter-Con ballroom with Israeli jazz and international hits.

All three performers are graduates of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston; further, Cohan was a finalist of the John Lennon Song Writing Contest of 2002; Klein won in the same contest for the year 2000. Both, in fact, contributed a song each to the riveting and fascinating program of what might have been called refined jazz. It was a terrific session, each performer being highly skilled and talented. The three merged for two prayers, one from Tel-Aviv, the other from Yemen; two international jazz classics – Autumn Leaves and Summertime, the latter from Gershwin’s opera Porgy and Bess; The Prettiest Girl in Kindergarten, and a song which was a special request of Second Secretary Roi Dvir.

The songs were so embellished with what sounded like spontaneous, improvised notes (though these were not) that the original melodies of Autumn Leaves and Summertime, for instance, almost seemed unrecognizable.

Enthusiastic audience participation took place repeatedly with the listeners clapping to the beat and rhythm of the songs. The program ended with the rousing Allelluia belted out by Michal to marvelous accompaniment by flutist and pianist.

Earlier, Ambassador Sagi, in the company on stage of Czech Ambassador Stanislav Slavicky, acting dean of the diplomatic corps, and DFA Chief of Protocol Jose Zaide, delivered his official message, with Mr. Zaide responding and an exchange of toast ensuing.

Mr. Sagi graciously acknowledged the fact that "the Philippines played a significant role when its delegation to the UN voted in favor of the formation of the state of Israel. This and the welcoming arms that provided shelter to thousands of Jews during WW II will forever be remembered by Israel.

"Through the past five decades of challenges, we remain hopeful because despite our struggles we have carved a niche in today’s world in the fields of agriculture, medicine, education and technology development, among others. And we have forged ties of friendship with such neighbors as Egypt and Jordan. Most importantly we remain hopeful that the vision of an Israeli State and a Palestinian State existing peacefully side by side may be realized someday."

Among diplomats listening intently were French Ambassador Renée Veyret, Italian Ambassador Umberto Radu Homescu. Later, I caught sight of Hans Kasten, Brian R.R. Murray and earlier, of Inter-Con’s Communications Director Jenny Peña, among scores.