finetune artist: The Klezmatics

Originally comprising Lorin Sklamberg (b. 6 March 1956, Los Angeles, California, USA; vocals, accordion, keyboards), Frank London (b. 29 March 1958, New York City, USA; trumpet, cornet, keyboards, vocals), Alicia Svigals (b. 8 January 1963, New York City, New York, USA; violin, vocals), Paul Morrissett (b. 19 October 1956, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; bass, vocals), David Licht (b. 13 September 1954, Detroit, Michigan, USA; drums) and Matt Darriau (b. 21 February 1960, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; clarinet, saxophone, flute). Formed by London (who had previously played with David Byrne and the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, among many others), in New York in 1986, the Klezmatics set out to play the traditional Klezmer music of the Jewish communities of Eastern and Central Europe. However, the band instinctively added their own contemporary influences, (rock, funk, avant garde jazz), creating an old world/new world fusion of hard-edged, modern Yiddish dance music. In 1988, they played at the anti-Fascist Heimatklinge festival in Berlin. Performing a set of tunes traditional to both the Yiddish and German cultures. These songs subsequently formed the basis of the Klezmatics' debut, Shvaygn=Toyt (Silence=Death), released the following year. Subsequent releases Rhythm + Jews (1992) and Jews With Horns (1995) featured their mix of fast-paced, mournful ballads, improvised experimentation and overtly political sentiments.

Listen to The Klezmatics at Finetune.

(1997) Possessed
(1995) Jews With Horns
(1990) Rhythm & Jews

Kolomeyke
Man In a Hat
Moroccan Game
Shvarts Un Vays
Mizmor Shir Lehanef (Reefer Song)