Klezmer Podcast

Klezmer Podcast 110- Klezmerson. On this episode my interview guests are Benjamin Shwartz and Dan Zlotnik of the band Klezmerson, from Mexico City. Klezmerson blends Latin rhythms and Klezmer to create a unique musical style all their own. We hear the track Augmented from the album 7. I caught the band at Skirball Center in … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 110- Klezmerson"

Klezmer Podcast 109- Jaffa Road. This episode features an interview with the members of Jaffa Road, while they were in residence at Kleztival in Sao Paulo, Brazil. We hear the track Avre Los Ojos from the album Where The Light Gets In. We also hear from Aviva on her track Chadesh Yameinu from the … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 109- Jaffa Road"

Klezmer Podcast 108- London Klezmer Quartet. This episode features a return visit with Ilana Cravitz of London Klezmer Quartet. LKQ have released their second album, Welcome to Butterfield Green N16. The album features both classic klezmer pieces and new works composed by Cravitz and band members Susi Evans and Carol Isaacs. We hear the track … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 108- London Klezmer...

Klezmer Podcast 107- Nicole Borger. This episode features an interview with Nicole Borger of the group Klezmer4, based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Besides her own music, she is involved with the Brazilian Jewish Music Institute (Instituto Da Musica Judaica Brasil), and Kleztival, a Jewish music festival. We hear Nova Cancao/Dos Naye Lid from the album … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 107- Nicole Borg...

Klezmer Podcast 106- Gaston Mohadeb. This episode features an interview with Gaston Mohadeb of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Gaston is the leader of Sherbamate Productora, which produces his bands Orquesta KEF and La Gypsy, among other acts. From KEF we hear El Majamedlei from the album KEF, … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 106 – Gaston Mohadeb"

Klezmer Podcast 105- Shir. My interview guest on this episode is Ivor Goldberg of the band Shir, based in london, UK. Shir have released three albums, play in Klezmer, Israeli, and Sephardic styles, and sing in Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ladino. We hear two tracks, Shecharchoret and Silver Wedding, both from the album Ashk’farad. Run time: … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 105- Shir"

Klezmer Podcast 104- Daphna Sadeh. On this episode of the podcast my guest is Daphna Sadeh. Daphna is a musician and composer originally from Israel, and now living in the UK. We discuss her most recent work, Born In Parallel, a four- movement piece combining elements of Middle Eastern, Jazz, and Baroque Classical styles. We … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 104- Daphna Sadeh"

Klezmer Podcast 103- Klezmer Kollectiv. Among the new crop of Klezmer bands in the UK is Klezmer Kollectiv. They’ve been spreading the joy to young audiences in clubs around the London area, and have garnered a loyal following. I met up with three of the band members: Adam Cross-Clarinet; Jacob Shaw-Sax; James Hulme-Cajon. We hear … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 103- Klezmer Kollectiv"

Klezmer Podcast 102- Zebrina. This episode features an interview with Jonathan Feldman, leader of Zebrina, a Toronto-based Klezmer/Jazz fusion band. Jonathan explains his Jazz roots and how he came to Klezmer through his association with John Zorn. The Jazz is straight-ahead, and be sure to check out Jonathan playing the Rhodes keyboard. Zebrina’s latest … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 102- Ze...

Klezmer Podcast 101- Jenni Alpert. On this episode we take a break from the Klezmer scene and go in a new direction, with Pop singer/songwriter Jenni Alpert. A Los Angeles native, Alpert has been writing her own material for quite some time. She has a smooth sound with a touch of jazz. The interview was … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 101- Jenni Alpert"

Klezmer Podcast 100- Trans Siberian March Band. Welcome to the 100th episode of Klezmer Podcast. Since it began in January 2007, I have met amazing musicians from around the world, and have made friends with so many of them. The fans have been wonderful as well, and I appreciate your support. While in London recently, … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 100- Trans Siberian March Band"

Klezmer Podcast 99- Heather Klein. There is a growing number of Yiddish singers around the world these days, but there are only a handful performing Yiddish Art Song. Heather Klein is among this small circle of performers, and from listening to her new album, Heather Klein’s Inextinguishable Trio presents: Shifreles Portret: A Yiddish Art Song … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 99- Heather Klein"

Klezmer Podcast 98- Bubbeleh. By an act of random coincidence I found myself at a performance of Bubbeleh, a wonderful Los Angeles- based band. They perform a good deal of original material, making the band sound fresh and exciting. I met up with band member Max Kutner after the show, and had a conversation outside … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 98- Bubbeleh"

Klezmer Podcast 97- Klezwoods. There are many bands sprouting up around Boston these days, and Klezwoods has been bringing their own style to the scene for a few years now. I sat down to visit with Sam Dechenne to get an idea of what is happening with the band. We also hear the track Egypt … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 97- Klezwoods"

Klezmer Podcast 96- Hankus Netsky. On this episode, I visit with Hankus Netsky of the New England Conservatory. We talk about his latest project, Eternal Echoes: Songs And Dances For The Soul, a collaboration with Itzhak Perlman and Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot. Netsky was Co-Producer and Musical Director for the album, and we hear what … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 96- Hankus Netsky"

Klezmer Podcast 95- Shpilkes. On my recent visit to Paris, France, I met up with Eleonore Biezunski of the band Shpilkes. Eleonore is a wonderful Violinist and Vocalist, who has performed with several groups around Paris and has participated in several Klezmer and Yiddish workshops. We also hear the track Hoffman Mazel Tov from their … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 95- Shpilkes"

Klezmer Podcast 94- Gefilte Swing. While visiting Paris, I was able to catch a performance by Gefilte Swing, a band that specializes in Swing-Era Yiddish song. They have great energy, and have a real love for this music. We hear the track Besarabye from the album Yidl Mitn Swing. … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 94- Gefilte Swing"

Klezmer Podcast 93- Roberto Rodriguez and Orquesta Sarabia. One of the things I like most about Roberto Rodriguez is that I never know what he will do next. It is always a surprise and a delight to discover his music, in whatever form it takes. And Orquesta Sarabia is no exception. An exotic blend of … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 93- Roberto Rodriguez and Orquesta Sarabia"

Klezmer Podcast 92- Alon Nechushtan. This episode of the podcast features Jazz with a Jewish twist from Alon Nechushtan and his group Talat. The band is based in New York, and blends contemporary jazz with Jewish melodies. Run time: 16:32.

Klezmer Podcast 91- Balkan Beat Box. My interview guest on this episode is Tamir Muscat of Balkan Beat Box. The band was in Los Angeles recently, on tour for their new album Give. We hear the track No Man’s Land. Run time: 15:30

There has been an increase in the number of bands coming out of France, and Kabbalah, from Marseilles, is the latest to break out and visit North America. Their style is Yiddish DaDa, and has a vibe that you cannot resist. We hear the track Elephant Mentsch from the album Boxes, Bagels & Elephants. Run time: 27:17.

Klezmer Podcast 89- Golden State Klezmers. My guests on this episode are Zinovy Goro, Richard Bernard, and Vic Koler of Golden State Klezmers. Zinovy Goro came to America from Ukraine, where he was not allowed to play Jewish music. His story is fascinating, and he has put together a great band. We hear GSK live, performing 7:40. After that, we hear a new track, Meshuge, from David Kleinman's Yiddi...

Klezmer podcast 88- Mostly Kosher. The interview guest on this episode is Leeav Sofer, leader of the band Mostly Kosher, based in Long Beach, CA. He is very enthusiastic, and put out a lot of great energy in his show. We also hear the band in live performance. Run time: 23:10.

Klezmer Podcast 87- Yaeko Miranda Elmaleh. On this episode of the podcast I visit with Boston-based Violinist Yaeko Miranda Elmaleh. She recently released her self-titled debut album. The music is gorgeous and the audio quality is superb. We get to hear the track Waltz From The Hills Of Manchuria from the album. Run time: … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 87- Yaeko Miranda Elmeleh"

Klezmer Podcast 86- Benjy Fox-Rosen. One of my favorite Klezmer friends is Bassist/Vocalist Benjy Fox-Rosen. He is in great demand on the Klezmer scene, and recently launched his first album as a Klezmer bandleader, Tick Tock. It is a great album, and features many top performers in the genre. We hear his track Hudl Mitn … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 86- Benjy Fox-Rosen"