Toronto’s Aviva Chernick has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following as the charismatic lead singer of the twice JUNO-nominated group Jaffa Road.
Now, with her solo project and CD release, “When I Arrived You Were Already There,” Aviva has revealed the stunning range of her musical persona. Nominated for a 2013 Canadian Folk Music Award, the album’s exotic instrumentation and devotional aesthetic make it one of the most unique Canadian world music releases of the last year. Inspired by her work as a cantorial singer and prayer-leader, and by her study of the Balkan Judeo-Spanish tradition, Aviva has crafted a unique new sound defined by her distinctive vocal presence. Joel Schwartz (guitar), Ernie Tollar (flutes), Sundar Viswanathan (saxophone, vocals), Aaron Lightstone (oud, saz, sitar), Rakesh Tewari (percussion) and Nabil Amarshi (bass).
