Mama Doni

Who is Mama Doni?

Doni Zasloff Thomas is a talented and hip mother of two young children, who has been immersed in Jewish life and music since she was a little girl. She went to Jewish Day Schools and then to Brandeis University and NYU where she earned a degree in Educational Theatre. As a high school and college student she was a Hebrew school teacher, and a drama and dance teacher at numerous camps. She went on to have a career in Children's Marketing, and was Creative Director for a children's media company for over 7 years. When her daughter and son's preschool asked her to take the position as their music teacher last year, she readily agreed and the creative juices started flowing. She wanted to share her love of Jewish culture with the school kids in a fun and cool way so she started writing and recording her own songs, and that's how the album "I Love Herring" came to be. The album was just released to the public in May 2008.

What is "I LOVE HERRING (& Other Fish Shticks for Kids)"?

"I Love Herring" is a fresh and exciting collection of songs that breaks the mold on traditional Jewish music! This progressive music brings an unexpected and playful twist to Jewish culture, humor, and traditions.

What genre of music best describes it?

Every genre, including reggae, folk, classic rock, country, hip hop, klezmer, and theatrical. This wild mix of musical styles is woven together with Yiddish terms and Jewish themes. The energized and unconventional songs are each stories unto themselves, with characters you can't help but love, like Bubbie, the Cowgirl Jew, The Jewperheroes, and Shlomo the Gefilte Fish.

Who is this music for?

Mama Doni's songs are a breath of fresh air for everyone from "Babies to Bubbies" - hip young kids and their even hipper parents and grandparents. "I Love Herring!" will be especially appreciated by those with an understanding of Jewish and Yiddish culture, but its universal themes of love and laughter are filled with musical and lyrical surprises that appeal to people of all ages, backgrounds, and religions!

How was this album produced?

Mama Doni wrote all of the melodies and lyrics, and Crunkle Domer (Adam Nelson) produced the music with drum machines, synthesizers, samplers and live instruments, putting a pop-savvy twist on traditional kids/family music. Doni and Crunkle recorded and worked in Doni's kitchen in Montclair, New Jersey, as well as in Crunkle Domer's recording studio in Brooklyn, New York.

What is Mama Doni's mission?

Mama Doni hopes that her music will bring some Jewish flavor into the lives of people everywhere. She feels passionate about preserving the precious Yiddish and Jewish spirit by conveying it with a contemporary vibe everyone can relate to. If, thanks to her songs, people start using the word "shvitzin'" for the very first time on a hot summer day, Mama Doni will know she has been a success!

Adam Nelson, AKA Crunkle Domer has been bending genres and breaking musical boundaries in the Brooklyn music scene since his arrival in 2003. In addition to producing "I Love Herring (And Other Fish Shticks For Kids)" and playing guitar in The Mama Doni Band, he has released three solo albums of quirky, catchy electro-hop and several collaborative projects, won freestyle rap competitions, and toured the country both as a solo artist and as part of the MINDSpray hip-hop collective. Plus he's a total mensch! For more check out iamDOMER.com.