Klezmer Podcast

Klezmer Podcast 85- The Shpil. This episode features an interview with The Shpil, a band from Los Angeles. They performed at Genghis Cohen, and we hear their live performance of Samuel Goldberg Variations. The band performs traditional Klezmer and Yiddish styles, plus other styles that have been given a Klezmer treatment. Run time: 20.28.

Klezmer Podcast 84 features an interview with Geoff Berner, recorded at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles on 30 September 2011

Klezmer Podcast 83- London Klezmer Quartet. This episode features an interview with Ilana Cravitz of London Klezmer Quartet. The group has released their self-titled debut album, The London Klezmer Quartet. The band plays in a traditional style, but have added a few original tunes of their own. We get to hear one of these originals, … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 83- London Klezmer Quartet"

Klezmer Podcast 82- Mames Babegenush. The interview guests on this episode are Emil Goldschmidt and Bo Rande of Mames Babegenush, from Denmark. The band has a new album titled My Heart Aches When The Angels Dance. The band plays both traditional Klezmer as well as their own original compositions. It is an exciting sound that … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 82- Mames Babegenush"

Klezmer Podcast 81- Isra-Alien. This episode features an interview with Gilad Ben-Zvi and Oren Neiman of the band Isra-Alien, from New York. They are a Guitar duo playing Mediterranean-influenced music on Nylon-string and Steel-string guitars. They have released a self-titled album, Isra-Alien. From the album we hear Santorini Sunsets. Run time: 38:58.

Klezmer Podcast 80- Breslov Bar Band. This episode features an interview with Binyomin Ginzberg of Breslov Bar Band, based in the New York City area. The band has released a new album, titled Have No Fear. The band explores traditional and contemporary musical expressions of the Breslov Chassidim. We also listen to the track B’motzoei … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 80- Breslov Bar Band"

Klezmer Podcast 79- Polina Shepherd (Skovoroda) and Merlin Shepherd. Polina’s recent album is titled Civilization, featuring songs in Yiddish and Russian, accompanied by Merlin with Fanfara. On this album Polina explores her musical roots through Jewish, Tatar, Ukrainian, Cossack, and Russian songs. She talks about the Islamic influence of growing up in Tatarstan. Merlin talks … Continue reading "...

Klezmer Podcast 78- Yemen Blues. This episode features the new band Yemen Blues. The band has a self-titled debut album, and is on their first North American tour. My interview guests are bandleader and Lead Vocalist Ravid Kahalani and Trumpet player Itamar Borochov. We hear the track Om Min Al Yaman from the album. Run … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 78- Yemen Blues"

Klezmer Podcast 77- Balkan Beat Box. This episode features an interview with Ori Kaplan and Tomer Yosef of Balkan Beat Box, the worldwide phenomenon that crosses cultures and genres and has become a big hit with audiences of all generations. We talk about their latest album, … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 77- Balkan Beat Box"

Klezmer Podcast 76- Yiddish Princess. On this episode we get to hear from New York-based Yiddish Princess. Yiddish Princess stands feet firmly planted both in the folk poetry of Yiddish song and the enticing sounds of 80s and 90s rock music. We hear the track Ver Vet Blaybn … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 76- Yiddish Princess"

Klezmer Podcast 75- Joel Rubin. This episode features an interview with Joel Rubin. Joel is a Clarinetist, ethnomusicologist, and is on the faculty of the University of Virginia. This is his second appearance on the Podcast. His group, The Joel Rubin Ensemble, has a new album on Traditional … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 75- Joel Rubin"

Klezmer Podcast 74- Molotow Brass Orkestar. The interview guest on this episode is Reimar Walthert of Molotow Brass Orkestar. The group is based in Switzerland and plays a blend of Klezmer, Gypsy, and Swiss folk music. The self-titled album is available from WM Recordings. We hear … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 74- Molotow Brass Orkestar"

Klezmer Podcast 73: Jake Shulman-Ment. This episode features an interview with Violinist Jake Shulman-Ment. Jake is from New York, and studied with Alicia Svigals and Bob Cohen. Besides leading his own band, he is a member of Romashka. His album is titled “A Wheel” or … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 73- Jake Shulman-Ment"

Klezmer Podcast 72- Electro Morocco. For this we have Assaf Spector and Roy Gurel of Electro Morocco. Originally from Israel, these Brooklyn-based musicians bring a fresh sound to their songs. Their style of electro-pop, rock, and middle eastern sensibilities blend together to make a sound that is truly unique. After the interview watch the music … Continue reading Klezmer Podcast 72- Electro Moro...

Klezmer Podcast 71- Jim Guttmann. My guest on this episode is Bass player Jim Guttmann. He is probably best known for his work with the Klezmer Conservatory Band, but also leads his own ensemble. His debut release is “Bessarabian Breakdown” from Kleztone Records. He discusses his involvement with Klezmer music, his work with KCB, and … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 71- Jim Guttmann"

Klezmer Podcast 70- 8th Day. This episode features an interview with Chasidic rock band 8th Day, featuring the Marcus Brothers. The band has a great sound, and mixes rock, reggae, and spirituality. We hear the song Tracht Gut from their album 8th Day Live. Run time: 18:26.

Klezmer Podcast 69- Babayaga. On this episode my interview guest is Yann Le Glaz, Saxophonist and leader of Babayaga, a band based in France. The band plays an eclectic mix of traditional and modern Klezmer with some Balkan influences. Yann talks about his interest in Klezmer, a new Vocalist for the band, and an … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 69- Babayaga"

Klezmer Podcast 68- Julie Egger. On this episode, I talk with Julie Egger, leader of the Red Hot Chachkas, based in the San Francisco area. The band has released a new album, Beats Without Borders. The band has been branching out from their local area, and has started touring. They will be appearing at this year’s … Continue reading Klezmer Podcast 68- Red Hot Chachkas →

Klezmer Podcast 67- Jon Madof. My guest for this episode is New York-based Guitarist Jon Madof, leader of the Jewish power trio Rashanim. He also leads a larger group, Circuit Breaker.

My interview guests are Vocalist/Bandleader Lori Lippitz and Violinist Alex Kauffman. The band is known for its Chicago-style American Klezmer.

The guest is Yoshie Fruchter of the New York- based band Pitom. The band describes itself on their website as “Punkassjewjazz.” I couldn’t describe it any better. It’s all instrumental rock with a Jewish sensibility.

This episode is dedicated to the earthquake victims in Haiti. A musical response to the earthquake was the Sound Off For Haiti festival, organized by Jessica Valiente, a New York City- based musician of the band Los Mas Valientes. We also hear from Metropolitan Klezmer Band members Eve Sicular and Debra Kreisberg.

Violinist Claire Bergen is the leader of Los Angeles-based The Shpil. The band plays a mix of traditional and original music, plus some Klezmerized covers of other songs.

On this episode I am very pleased to welcome Michiel Ockeloen (Accordion) of Shtetl Band Amsterdam. He talks about discovering Klezmer music, his experience at KlezKanada, and performing original songs in a traditional style.

Sergiu (Accordion) and Jessica (Violin) are Montreal-based musicians who play a wide variety of Eastern European music including Klezmer, Gypsy, Russian, Turkish, and Balkan.