An unusual musical experience was provided for members of the Radlett Music Club by Lucie Skeaping and The Burning Bush (the group's name relates to a story in the Bible). Lucie explained to the audience that her inspiration was interest in her Jewish roots. Some of the music had religious connotations, but mostly it was folk music of southern Europe and Spain, based on what was played by travelling groups of Jewish musicians.

Lucie is the leader of a group of six musicians who have developed a repertoire of songs and instrumental pieces; mostly their expertise is in early European music rather than Jewish music particularly.

Whatever its earlier origins, their very accessible and enjoyable style is not older than the late 19th Century. It has something in common with more familiar varieties of folk music, and indeed with the popular entetrtainment that used to be provided by music halls. It is energetic, always in four-square rhythms, sometimes slow, sometimes faster, and often more exciting because the speed of the piece gradually increases; the harmonies are simple.

In a two-hour programme, this would make for a certain monotony but for the liveliness of the simple tunes. It would require an expert to describe the unusual instruments. Some are sufficiently familiar, such as the rebec (an early stringed instrument) and the zither: but even they show local variations characteristic of the traditional wandering bands.

Lucie and Roderick Skeaping played the violin. The playing of Ben Harlan (the brilliant clarinettist) and Robert Levy (double bass) illustrated the connection with the early years of jazz. Jon Banks played a large piano accordion - an instrument that certainly did not exist when this music originated in Spain and southern Europe.

Originally, in the Sephardic tradition, the music of Spanish Jews before their expulsion in the 15th Century, instruments were not used; that came later, and it was the Ashkenazi of central southern and eastern Europe who added other instruments to the strings, introducing an Arab flavour. From these various elements, a combination that is more familiar to us evolved.

Lucie and others sang, sometimes alone and sometimes with the whole group; sometimes the audience joined in. It was the way the group had developed a consistent style from diverse traditions that made the concert so enjoyable.

Graham Mordue