Sam Reider and the Human Hands

Led by accordionist, pianist, and composer Sam Reider, the Human Hands is an innovative collective of acoustic musicians exploring the crossroads of folk, jazz, and classical music from around the world. Reider was featured on NPR Tiny Desk and nominated for a Latin GRAMMY award for his recent duo record with Venezuelan artist Jorge Glem. He has performed, recorded and collaborated with a range of artists including Jon Batiste, Sierra Hull, Laurie Lewis, and Paquito d’Rivera.

In his latest record, The Golem and Other Tales (June 2024), Reider returns to his groundbreaking ensemble, the Human Hands. Irresistible melodies, joyful improvisation, and otherworldly sounds collide in what Songlines Magazine has dubbed a "mash-up of the Klezmatics, Quintette du Hot Club de France and the Punch Brothers.” The New York Times calls it “modern folk music with saxophone and accordion.” The group got its start playing late night sessions at well-known dive bars and music venues in Brooklyn. After releasing their debut record, Too Hot to Sleep, in 2018, they toured throughout the US, UK, and Europe appearing at premier venues and festivals like Jazz at Lincoln Center, Celtic Connections, and SFJAZZ. Their concerts have aired on PBS and the BBC.

The Golem and Other Tales features a through-composed suite of music based on the medieval Jewish legend about a clay man brought to life by a rabbi. In a time of darkness, the rabbi prays for a hero to deliver his community from evil. One night, a mysterious stranger shows up at the rabbi’s door and convinces the rabbi to build a golem. With his assistants, the rabbi gathers clay, sculpts a giant man, and inscribes the word for "truth" on its forehead. At the stroke of midnight, when the final letter is completed, the golem comes to life. The supernatural being performs heroic acts but quickly spins out of control as it yearns to become more and more human. After falling in love with the rabbi’s daughter, the golem is ambushed by its creators, chased and destroyed.