Ashkenaz Festival: Jaffa Road

2x JUNO-nominated Jaffa Road has spent more than two decades creating music at the intersection of Jewish, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Western traditions. Led by guitarist and oud player Aaron Lightstone and vocalist Tamar Ilana, the Toronto-based ensemble also features Sundar Viswanathan (bansuri, saxophone), Rakesh Tewari (drums), and for this performance, Jordan Pelunsky (bass). Known for its adventurous musicianship, Jaffa Road blends original compositions with inventive arrangements inspired by Hebrew, Arabic, Ladino, and English musical traditions. The band’s performances move seamlessly between intimate storytelling, virtuosic improvisation, and infectious grooves, reflecting the diverse musical backgrounds of its members while creating a sound that is unmistakably its own. The group is currently developing its fourth album with acclaimed producer Gavin Brown, introducing a new body of work that builds on Jaffa Road’s distinctive voice while exploring fresh musical directions. At Ashkenaz, audiences can expect a dynamic mix of brand-new material alongside favourites from the band’s three acclaimed recordings—music that celebrates tradition, creativity, and the joy of musical discovery.