Eve Sicular joins me for the third time. Eve and the Isle of Klezbos have released a new album titled Yiddish Silver Screen. After nearly ten years, Eve and I have a lot of catching up to do, and we have a wide ranging discussion about everything from Yiddish film history to our fondness for 78 RPM records. We also get to hear the track Bonia Shur'…

Yiddish and Klezmer from Sweden Klezmer Podcast 134- Louisa Lyne. Louisa Lyne is a wonderful Yiddish singer from Malmo, Sweden. She performs with her group Di Yiddishe Kapelye and have been on the scene for several years. Her latest album is A Farblondzhete Blondinke a collection of well know favorites and original songs. We get to … Continue readi…

Balkan Beat Box In Hollywood Klezmer Podcast 133- Ori Kaplan of Balkan Beat Box. Balkan Beat Box was back in Los Angeles and put on a wonderful show. Ori Kaplan was kind enough to spend a few minutes with me before the show to talk about the latest happenings with the group and their … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 133- Ori Kaplan of Balkan Bea…

The Desert Caravan Concert featuring Amos Hoffman and Noam Lemish This episode features and interview with Amos Hoffman and Yale Strom, just prior to the Desert Caravan concert at San Diego State University on April 12, 2017. A Guitar and Oud player, Hoffman has teamed with Pianist Noam Lemish for a new project of jazz-influenced … Continue reading…

New Album Europa From KlezFactor Mike Anklewicz is a well-known Toronto area musician and composer, and leader of KlezFactor. His latest album Europa is a collection of original Jazz-infused compositions recorded by band members in both Canada and Germany. Check out the track Naftule Strikes Bach and prepare to be taken on a wonderful journey … Con…

Funk Meets Hip-Hip Meets Klezmer Clarinetist David Krakauer and DJ Socalled have been great musical collaborators for many years. But the move to add Trombonist Fred Wesley sent them on a new trajectory to a new sonic landscape. Abraham Inc. blends Klezmer, hip-hop, and Funk in a way that creates a new genre that sets … Continue reading "Klezmer Po…

Klezmer Meets Jazz This episode features an interview with Clarinetist Paul Green, who has released a new album of Jazz/Klezmer, Music Coming Together. Green does a great job of blending the two genres, particularly on the Klezmer tunes Der Gasn Nigun and Papirosen. But he also is comfortable going the other way, too, as seen in … Continue reading …

Yiddish Music From Genghis Cohen Lenka Lichtenberg is a vocalist based in Toronto, Canada and is always finding new ways to create Jewish music. Her latest album, Yiddish Journey, takes us on another musical adventure. Lenka has a unique style that blends traditional elements with cross- cultural influences, such as using Oud and Tabla instruments.…

Klezmer From New York Sasha Margolis is the Violinist of the band Big Galut(e) of New York City. They have released a self-titled debut album, consisting of traditional Klezmer tunes, along with some originals, including one of my new favorites The True Story Of Carmen, a Mickey Katz- inspired parody of the famous Opera. We … Continue reading "Klez…

Alicia Svigals Klezmer Violin Alicia Svigals Alicia Svigals is a New York- based Violinist who has been a fixture in Jewish music since the early days of the Klezmer Revival. I met up with Alicia after her workshop/concert at the New York Klezmer Series, where she performed with Lauren Brody, Aaron Alexander, and Marty Confurious. … Continue readin…

Radical Jewish Music Eastmond Sam Eastmond of The Spike Orchestra is a composer, arranger, and Trumpet player in London, UK. The latest album GHETTO is an exploration of WW II life in the Warsaw Ghetto, through a suite of pieces comprising a 20- piece big band, a 10- piece Spiketet, and a Trumpet/Voice duo. Eastmond describes the … Continue reading…

Klezmer Podcast 124- San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir Kochi: A Musical Journey Celebrating The History Of The Jews In India This episode features an interview with Ruth Weber, Director of the San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir. Their latest album, Kochi, was released today, and blends Jewish and Indian music. This is a new … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast…

Klezmer From Belarus Klezmer Podcast 123- Litvakus. This episode features an interview with Zisl Slepovitch of the new band Litvakus, from Brooklyn. They have just released their first album Raysn- The Music of Jewish Belarus. Zisl is a great musician, singer, musicologist, and Yiddishist. Originally from Minsk, Belarus, he brings the music of that…

Klezmer Jazz From Canada Klezmer Podcast 122- Jonathan Feldman. From Ashkenaz Festival, Jonathan Feldman and Zebrina performed music from their latest album Hamidbar Medaber. Here, Jonathan talks about the album and more about the band. We hear the track Higher Power. Run time: 30:00.

Simja Dujov Klezmer, Gypsy, Cumbia, Surf, etc. Klezmer Podcast 121- Simja Dujov. Another episode from the 2014 Ashkenaz Festival, my guest is Simja Dujov of Argentina. There is a diverse Jewish music scene there, and Dujov pushes the limits with his DJ mix of Klezmer, Gypsy, Cumbia, and Surf music. He puts on a … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 1…

Klezmer Violinist Steven Greenman Klezmer Podcast 120- Steven Greenman. This episode features an interview with Violinist Steven Greenman. Steven is a long time Klezmer musician who is also a master of Gypsy/Roma and Classical music. Here Steven speaks about his recent projects such as a collaboration with Chinese Pipa artist Gao Hong. He also perf…

Zion80 at Ashkenaz Festival Klezmer Podcast 119- Jon Madof. Continuing with the series from the Ashkenaz Festival in Toronto, my guest is Jon Madof of the band Zion80 from New York City. The powerhouse 11-member band plays Afrobeat influenced Carlbach repertoire. We hear the track Asher Bara from their self-titled album Zion80. Run time: … Continue…

David Buchbinder at Ashkenaz Festival 2014 Klezmer Podcast 118- David Buchbinder. Canadian Trumpeter Devid Buchbinder returns to Klezmer Podcast as part of my series from the 2014 Ashkenaz Festival in Toronto. David is involved in several projects, and his Odessa/Havana group has released their second album, Walk To The Sea, a continuation of his ……

Klezmer At Ashkenaz 2014 Klezmer Podcast 117: Briga This episode begins a series of interviews made during the Ashkenaz Festival 2014 held in Toronto. My guest on this episode is Brigitte Briga Dajczer of the band Briga, based in Montreal. She has released several albums to date, and here we listen to Filipovtsi … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast …

Klezmer in New York City Klezmer Podcast 116- Isle Of Klezbos. This Podcast episode features Eve Sicular of the Isle Of Klezbos, based in New York City. Their latest album is Live From Brooklyn, and features a wide range of Klezmer styles, from traditional to jazz and reggae. The band has a lot of … Continue reading "Klezmer Podcast 116- Isle Of Kl…

Klezmer Podcast 115- Golem. This episode features an interview with Annette Ezekiel Kogan of the band Golem. The band has released a new album, Tanz, and we hear the title track. Run time: 23:40.

Klezmer podcast 114- Estelle Goldfarb. This episode features a two-part interview with Violinist Estelle Goldfarb. Estelle talks about her new album Naissance, and her musical journey from classical to hip hop, acoustic to electric. We hear the tracks Tchek and 10h22. Run time: 41:39.

Klezmer Podcast 113- Sarah Aroeste. This episode features an interview with Sarah Aroeste, a Ladino singer specializing in music from the Sephardic tradition of Greece. We hear the track Gracia, from her album of the same name. Run time: 22:19.

Klezmer Podcast 112- Judith Cohen. The interview guest on this episode is Judith Cohen, an Ethnomusicologist from Canada. Judith specializes in Judeo-Spanish (Ladino) music. We hear the track Ester Mi Bien from her album Canciones De Sefarad. Run time: 16:50.

Klezmer Podcast 111- Tiembla El Moehl. This episode features an interview with the band Tiembla El Moehl, from Buenos Aires, Argentina. They play a lively, upbeat style of Jewish/Klezmer, and keep very busy with Jewish events around the area, plus touring around South America. We hear their track Shuster. Run time: 27:43…

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 "Klez…

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 … Con…

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 … …

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 rea…

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 "Kle…

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 readin…

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 …

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- Jenn…

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 Po…

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 … Co…

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 Podca…

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 …

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 rea…

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 …

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…

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 "Klezme…

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…