Artist Summary

Artist Bio

Levitt plays the blues of another era. And from another place. Blending biblical Hebrew and plain English into songs about longing, joy, justice and celebration, he gives a nod to the “old country” as much as a new, multicultural world. To this point, while the music is at once familiar and classifiable, it doesn’t lend itself to easy comparison. His current repertoire is comprised of adaptations of traditional songs and and his own, many of which feature original music set to biblical verses, often psalms or the prophetic calls for justice and mercy.

Matthew Levitt is a multi-genre performer and songwriter playing a spiritual music he refers to as mystic folk. Levitt has performed in clubs, festivals, parties, and nontraditional venues throughout Minnesota and the upper Midwest.

Bandleader, guitarist, and vocalist, Matthew Levitt has spent time playing classic rock locally, touring in a reggae band, performing and recording with a latin-fueled world fusion group, and released three CD’s with his own band, Levitt8, in funk and jamband styles. He has performed all over the US and in Israel as part of several international travel experiences, including busking on the streets of Amsterdam and Cairo. It has been his experience immersed in other cultures that encouraged him to chart a distinct musical path, that being the trademark mystic folk sound. With a wide ranging palate, Levitt plays the blues of a forgotten world.

Much of this music is also featured at performances with partner Umar Malik (percussion), who form the duo, Tzitzit Sabathia.