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The Klezmatics • Emelin Theatre • 12.06.18
Dec
6
7:30 PM19:30

The Klezmatics • Emelin Theatre • 12.06.18

The Klezmatics

Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 7:30PM at Emelin Theatre

Klezmatics Music Without Borders MWB

Since their emergence more than 30 years ago, the Klezmatics have raised the bar for Eastern European Jewish music Their aesthetically, politically and musically interesting recordings has inspired future generations and helped change the face of contemporary Yiddish culture. Often called a “Jewish roots band,” the Klezmatics have led a popular revival of this ages-old, nearly forgotten art form.

“Klezmer,” says London, “is the unique sound of East European Jewishness. It has the power to evoke a feeling of other-worldliness, of being there and then, of nostalgia for a time and place that we never knew.” The Klezmatics’ music is rooted in but is not a strictly traditional variety of the klezmer genre. Rather it is a comfortable hybrid that appeals equally to those with no previous exposure to the music and those already familiar with it. Although tradition is at the core of what they do, since the beginning the Klezmatics have adapted to the artistic sensibilities of a contemporary world.  “Klezmer has everything you want, ethnically, and yet it’s so intertwined with American culture,” says Morrissett. “We want to make sure that we are part of a living tradition, and living traditions change; they don’t stay in a pickled form.”

The Klezmatics have performed in more than 20 countries and released 11 albums to date—including their Grammy-winning 2006 album Wonder Wheel. They have also recently served as the subject of a feature-length documentary film, The Klezmatics: On Holy Ground. During their third-of-a-century existence the Klezmatics have collaborated with such brilliant artists as violinist Itzhak Perlman, Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner and Israeli vocal icon Chava Alberstein, plus many other prominent artists working within multiple genres.

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The Klezmatics • SOPAC • 11.29.18
Nov
29
7:30 PM19:30

The Klezmatics • SOPAC • 11.29.18

The Klezmatics

“Happy Joyous Hanukkah, Lyrics by Woody Guthrie”

Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 7:30PM at the South Orange Performing Arts Center

Klezmatics Music Without Borders MWB

The Klezmatics are world-renowned Grammy-winning klezmer superstars. Join them in celebration of the Festival of Lights with “Happy Joyous Hanukkah, Lyrics by Woody Guthrie.” You’ll soon feel the warm embrace of family tradition as the seasonal music envelops your senses and wraps you in the memories of a shared history.

The Klezmatics erupted out of New York City’s East Village in 1986 and revitalized klezmer for the new century with music that is steeped in Eastern European Jewish tradition and spirituality. The Klezmatics expertly incorporated contemporary themes such as human rights and anti-fundamentalism and eclectic musical influences including Arab, African, Latin and Balkan rhythms, jazz and punk.

In the course of over thirty years they have released twelve albums of wild, spiritual, provocative, reflective and ecstatically danceable music, forever redefining and transcending traditional labels. The Klezmatics have collaborated with numerous luminaries including folk hero Arlo Guthrie, classical legend Itzhak Perlman, Israeli pop icons Chava Alberstein and Ehud Banai, beat poet Allen Ginsberg, the Master Musicians of Jajouka, the Ben Folds Five and Kosher Gospel singer Joshua Nelson.

Their work has extended to numerous theater, film, dance and television projects, including Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Tony Kushner’s A Dybbuk and It’s An Undoing World and Pilobolus Dance Theatre’s Davenen. The Klezmatics have reached millions through performances and features on CBS’s Late Night with David Letterman, PBS’ Great Performances, the BBC’s Rhythms of the World, and John Peel Show, various NPR programs (A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, New Sounds Live and Soundcheck), CBS’s Nightwatch, FOX’s After Breakfast, MTV News and Sex and the City. Additionally, their song “NY Psycho Freylekhs” was heard regularly on Air America Radio’s The Al Franken Show. They have played in over twenty countries at some of the most storied venues and renowned festivals worldwide, including Central Park Summerstage, Carnegie Hall, Pirineos Sur (Spain), Colours of Ostrava (Czech Republic), Pohoda Festival (Slovakia), Jazzsomer Graz (Austria) and the Heimatklänge Festival (Germany).

The Klezmatics have garnered numerous accolades throughout their career, including a 2006 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album (for Wonder Wheel: Lyrics by Woody Guthrie), a New York Jewish Music Award (Best Klezmer Band, 2006) a GLAMA (Gay and Lesbian American Music Award) and the German Critics Award (twice) and have topped the Billboard world music charts on numerous occasions.

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