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Award-winning songwriter and pianist Daniel Cainer is set to perform in Pleasanton next month for an evening of personal stories rooted in his Jewish identity.
Scheduled to make his way to Northern California for the first time in over five years, the British musician has been recognized with the Three Weeks Edinburgh Award, the Galway Fringe Award for Excellence as well as the Best of Edinburgh Award and NYC Fringe by SoHo Playhouse in New York City, according to his website.
Everyone is invited to attend the concert at Congregation Beth Emek, regardless of their religious affiliation, Cainer said.
“There is something for everyone here because it’s really about the human condition and that’s what people relate to,” Cainer told the Pleasanton Weekly.
Cainer began writing songs during childhood, entering a residency as a 14-year old in Leeds, England.
He went on to write songs for television and radio, including BBC and London’s station LBC.
“Keeps your blades very sharp,” he said of the challenging task of writing weekly songs from scratch.
With the help of a therapist during a self-described midlife crisis, Cainer turned his focus towards his Jewish roots.
“It became this very rich scene, that suddenly I had a voice — a unique voice,” Cainer explained.
Touring on and off since then, he has performed musical storytelling with a Jewish “flavor”, Cainer added.
Although some have considered the performer a comic, he doesn’t describe himself as such.
“Some of the songs are funny, there’s no doubt about that, but I think they’ve all got serious intent,” Cainer said. “But what better way to make a serious point than to find the humor in it?”
Among the topics he covers, he delves into his feelings and the difficulties that accompany being a public Jewish performer. He also takes on stories about his parents and grandparents.
“Underneath it is a musical narrative that is emotionally engaging,” he said.
Cainer’s concert at Congregation Beth Emek is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. next Sunday, (Feb. 1). For tickets, visit the congregation’s website at bethemek.org.
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