Harry & Friends feat. Rabbi Joe Black

Overview

In this series, Swallow Hill Music founder Harry Tuft joins us to swap songs and stories with his special guests.

Doors 6PM/Show 7PM

About Harry & Friends

In 2026, the tradition continues! Our founder, Harry Tuft, will be coming by to swap songs and stories with his talented musician friends. The evening begins with an interview and performance with Harry’s guest, from 7:00 – 8:15 PM. After a 15-minute break, there will be a song circle, to which players and listeners are all invited. The song circle ends at 9:45 in order for the building to close at 10 PM.

Harry’s friend will be…Rabbi Joe Black!

Joseph Black is Rabbi Emeritus  of Temple Emanuel in Denver, CO. He served as Senior Rabbi from July, 2010 to June 2025 - previously serving as Rabbi of Congregation Albert in Albuquerque, New Mexico from 1996-2010. He also  served as Assistant and then Associate Rabbi at Temple Israel in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1987-1996. 

An award-winning songwriter and nationally recognized musician, he has recorded 7 albums of original music and published two songbooks. Joe has published several poems and articles in leading national literary and academic journals. He has been honored by American Songwriter Magazine for his music. He is a frequent contributor to anthologies and collections of Jewish writing. He has performed for congregations and communities around the world. His recordings and books have received accolades from sources as diverse as American Songwriter Magazine, The New York Times, “Talent Is Timeless” International Song Competition,  Parent’s Choice, The American Library Journal and Kids First: The Coalition for Quality Children’s Video.

He is a two-time winner of American Songwriter Magazine’s Lyric contest. He was a finalist in the prestigious “Talent Is timeless” International Song Competition. He has also published two Children’s book for the PJ Library, a songbook and recorded five critically acclaimed albums of Jewish music. His compositions have been recorded by numerous artists and he and his music are featured in a variety of Contemporary Jewish Music compilation CD’s. His poetry and prose have been published widely.   

As a musician, Joe is known for his guitar virtuosity, soaring voice and lyrics that are at the same time, funny, inspirational, and thought provoking.  His music is an extension of his Rabbinate. After an 18 year hiatus from recording, Joe went back to the studio in December of 2021 to record two new albums of original music: Praying With Our Feet – a collection of Jewish music, and Wire and Wood – new secular songs.