Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Death

:

1989

 

Dave Tarras was a renowned composer and clarinetist who played a significant role in the development of klezmer music. He was born on April 14, 1897, in Ternivka, Ukraine, which was then part of the Russian Empire. Tarras was born into a family of musicians, and his father was a klezmer clarinetist. He began playing the clarinet at a young age and quickly became proficient in the instrument. In 1908, Tarras and his family immigrated to the United States and settled in New York City. He began playing in various klezmer bands and quickly gained a reputation as a talented clarinetist. In the 1920s, Tarras began recording with various bands and became one of the most sought-after clarinetists in the klezmer music scene. Tarras was known for his virtuosic playing style and his ability to infuse traditional klezmer music with modern elements. He was also a prolific composer and wrote many of the most popular klezmer tunes of the time. Some of his most famous compositions include "Di Zilberne Chasene," "Yiddish Hora," and "Tarras' Bulgar." In the 1930s, Tarras began recording with his own band, which included some of the most talented klezmer musicians of the time. The band was known for its tight arrangements and innovative approach to klezmer music. Tarras continued to record and perform with his band throughout the 1940s and 1950s, and his music became increasingly popular among Jewish communities in the United States and around the world. Tarras' music was also influential in the development of other genres of music, including jazz and swing. Many jazz musicians of the time were inspired by Tarras' virtuosic playing style and incorporated elements of klezmer music into their own compositions. Tarras himself was also known to experiment with jazz and swing elements in his music, which helped to broaden the appeal of klezmer music to a wider audience. Despite his success as a musician, Tarras faced many challenges throughout his life. He struggled with alcoholism and financial difficulties, and his health began to decline in the 1960s. He passed away on February 13, 1989, at the age of 91. Today, Tarras is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of klezmer music. His innovative approach to the genre helped to modernize and popularize klezmer music, and his compositions continue to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world. Tarras' legacy as a composer and clarinetist continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans of klezmer music.

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