Adrienne Khana Cooper (September 1, 1946 – December 25, 2011) was a singer – one of the great Yiddish performer’s of our time – and an activist. She played a major role in the renewal of klezmer music with her influence on the teaching of Yiddish songs.
She also was deputy director at YIVO, the Yiddish scientific institute in New-York, programming director at the Chinese Museum in America, and program director at the Workmen’s Circle (Arbeter Ring).
She co-founded Klezkamp and was member of the organization’s bureau “Jews for Racial and Economic Justice” (JFREJ) until summer 2011, when she was diagnosed with a cancer that took her away on December 25, 2011.
Her daughter, Sarah Gordon, is a singer, in particular with her band “Yiddish Princess”.
Visit her website
Watch her interview on Yiddish Book Center’s website
Read more on the Jewish Women Archives
Her necrology in New York Times, November 28th 2011
Listen to the radio show tribute to Adrienne Cooper by Hélène Engel on her program Hidden sides of Jewish Music
Listen (excerpt) :
Adrienne Cooper performs “Dem Fideles Neshome” (the soul of the little fidl), on the album Vaserl published by Yugntruf in 1978 to present new Yiddish songs from the young generation. The song is composed by Josh Waletzky with a poem by Shike Driz.
