Tonya Boyd-Cannon makes explosive appearance at Jazz Fest Shabbat
By ALAN SMASON, Special to the CCJN
Cantor Kevin Margolius acknowledged a historic first at the 33rd annual Touro Synagogue Jazz Fest Shabbat on April 24. In his introductory remarks to welcome Tonya Boyd-Cannon as the headliner for the night, the cantor, who was in charge of the popular event, said that it was the first time he knew that a musical mashup of gospel had been incorporated into the popular Jewish Shabbat service. .
Tonya Boyd-Cannon at the 2026 Touro Synagogue Jazz Fest Shabbat. (Photo by Alan Smason)
Boyd-Cannon, whose deep and rich gospel, blues and jazz vocals were added to the Friday night Shabbat worship service, entertained the crowd with members of her band after a break in the regular religious worship. She incorporated several popular works like the gospel children’s song “This Little Light of Mine” and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” into the program before the service ended with a second line of “Adon Olam” accompanied to the traditional jazz standard music of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
Earlier in the evening, Boyd-Cannon and her band had entertained several hundred Jazz Fest Shabbat patrons privately in the synagogue’s social hall as they enjoyed a festive Shabbat meal.
Patrons, who also enjoyed reserved seating, filed into the main sanctuary of the Emile Weil designed structure just prior to the start of the service, which began formally with the blasts of a shofar by Touro member David Bernstein.
Cantor Kevin Margolius, wearing a special white and colorfully adorned Jazz Fest Shabbat tails jacket, leads the congregation while playing guitar. (Photo by Alan Smason)
The musical portion of the worship service was led by Cantor Margolius with spiritual leadership also provided by Senior Rabbi Katie Bauman and Associate Rabbis Todd Silverman and Lily Kowalski.
The Panorama Jazz Band provided musical accompaniment throughout the night and the expanded Touro Synagogue Choir led by conductor Sofia Reggio punctuated the liturgical works with calls and responses to Cantor Margolius and Boyd-Cannon. Temple Sinai Cantor Rebecca Garfein also was twice called up from the audience to be a special guest singer during the prayer service.
When Boyd-Cannon’s microphone unexpectedly went out during her performance, Cantor Margolius went into action, removing his outer vestments in order to determine the problem. He was able to restore the sound system in less than a minute while the singer continued to sing without amplification. Boyd-Cannon showed she was unflappable while Cantor Margolius displayed his resourcefulness.
The inspiration for forging traditional Shabbat liturgy with the various musical genres experienced at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was the brainchild of former Touro Synagogue Cantor Steven Dubov, z”ll. With the exception of the 2020 COVID pandemic, the Jazz Fest Shabbat has been held since the year of its founding on the last weekend in April. On some rare occasions, when Passover was late on the calendar, the program has been held on the first weekend in May corresponding to the last weekend of the Jazz Festival.
Photos from this years Jazz Fest Shabbat:
