Role

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Ensemble

Country

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United States of America

 

The Klezmatics are a Grammy-winning American klezmer band that formed in New York City in 1986. The band is known for their unique blend of traditional Jewish music with contemporary influences, creating a sound that is both traditional and modern. The band was formed by a group of musicians who were interested in reviving the klezmer music tradition. Klezmer music is a form of Jewish folk music that originated in Eastern Europe in the 19th century. The Klezmatics were inspired by the music of the klezmer revival movement that was taking place in the United States at the time. The original members of the band were Lorin Sklamberg (vocals, accordion), Frank London (trumpet), David Licht (drums), Margot Leverett (clarinet), and Paul Morrissett (bass). Over the years, the band has had several lineup changes, but Sklamberg and London have remained constant members. The Klezmatics released their debut album, "Shvaygn=Toyt" (Silence=Death), in 1988. The album was a tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and featured traditional klezmer music as well as original compositions. The album received critical acclaim and helped to establish the band as a leading force in the klezmer revival movement. In 1990, the band released their second album, "Rhythm + Jews," which featured a mix of traditional klezmer music and contemporary influences, such as hip-hop and reggae. The album was a commercial success and helped to broaden the band's audience beyond the Jewish community. The Klezmatics continued to release albums throughout the 1990s, including "Jews with Horns" (1995), which featured guest appearances by jazz musicians Don Byron and Joshua Redman, and "Possessed" (1997), which featured a mix of traditional klezmer music and original compositions. In 2006, the band released "Wonder Wheel," an album of songs written by Woody Guthrie and set to music by the Klezmatics. The album was a critical and commercial success and won the band a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album. The Klezmatics have also collaborated with a number of other artists over the years, including folk singer Arlo Guthrie, poet Allen Ginsberg, and the Kronos Quartet. In 2011, the band collaborated with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner on the musical "The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures." The Klezmatics have performed at major venues and festivals around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Montreux Jazz Festival. They have also performed for a number of notable figures, including former President Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama. In addition to their Grammy win, the Klezmatics have received numerous other awards and honors over the years. In 2006, they were awarded the German Critics Award for Best World Music Album for "Wonder Wheel." They have also been awarded the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship and the Jewish Cultural Achievement Award. The Klezmatics continue to tour and record new music, keeping the klezmer music tradition alive while also pushing the boundaries of the genre. Their unique blend of traditional Jewish music with contemporary influences has earned them a dedicated following and cemented their place as one of the most important klezmer bands of all time.

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