Voice of the Turtle is a musical group specializing in the music of Sephardic Jews (a subgroup of Jews originating in the Iberian Peninsula, usually defined in contrast to Ashkenazi or Mizrahi Jews). VotT is unique in its emphasis on doing original historical research before making recordings. The band members travel the world looking for documents of Sephardic songs, and also interview community members who may remember particular musical arrangements. Their work is of both musical and historical import. An interview with rootsworld notes that "Based in Boston, Voice of the Turtle is one of the best-known groups performing Sephardic music in America. Theirs is an unusual marriage of artists who see the power of music more than just a presentation to a concert audience. 'We are all galvanized by the idea that it is critically important to preserve oral traditions in any culture. It's not so much about preserving Sephardic music but encouraging people to look at their own culture. Take from the people around you the treasures that are often missed. Learn to value the treasures that the elders have brought with them,' says Wachs.'"

The group members are:
* Derek Burrows
* Lisle Kulbach
* Jay Rosenberg
* Judith Wachs

Wachs passed away in October 2008. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.