KlezCalendar

The last few years there's been a surge of interest in the traditional music of Eastern Europe. Cornelia St. Cafe is celebrating all the different ways in which Klezmer and Gypsy traditions have worked themselves into the contemporary NYC music scene. The week-long festival includes Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys, showing that the blend of Shtetl Klezmer and Down Home Bluegrass is smoother than you would imagine; Jeff Perelman with members of Romashka, Village Klezmer and Max & Minka, drawing upon their own travels throughout the former Soviet bloc to bring you infectious Eastern European Klezmer music, Gypsy (Rom) music, Balkan music and more; Jay Vilnai's Vampire Suit, exploring the interconnections of Balkan music, Middle- Eastern grooves and improvisation; and Susan Watts, the youngest generation of an exciting klezmer dynasty that reaches back to the Jewish Ukraine of the 19th century, bringing a rich repertoire of many original songs written for weddings, family members and joyous occasions.

Klezmer clarinetist Margot Leverett joins forces with today's stars of klezmer and bluegrass to explore the shared musical spirit of two genres literally worlds apart. Appalachian and southern fiddle tunes by Bill Monroe meet klezmer melodies from pre-war Russia and Eastern Europe, some newly discovered, and the resulting medleys and improvisations are at once raw, funny, melancholic and footstomping. Their CD "Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys" was released to glowing reviews on Traditional Crossroads in September 2003 and has been used by the Paul Taylor Dance Company in their new piece "Klezmerbluegrass".

Margot Leverett, clarinet, is one of the foremost clarinetists in the klezmer revival. A founding member of the Klezmatics in 1986, Margot went on to start a solo career with her pioneering CD “The Art of Klezmer Clarinetâ” on Traditional Crossroads. Critically acclaimed for her work on both clarinet and alto saxophone, Margot has performed and taught klezmer music at festivals and workshops around the world.

Marty Confurius, bass, has appeared with virtually all the top people in both bluegrass and klezmer music. His credits include work with Vassar Clements, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Andy Statman, and klezmer legend Dave Tarras.

Joe Selly, guitar has appeared with Phoebe Snow, Vassar Clements, Barbara Eden, Melissa Manchester,Tex Logan and the Lombardo Orchestra. He is featured on countless recordings and is in demand as both performer and instructor in bluegrass, jazz and swing.

Kenny Kosek, fiddle has appeared with Jerry Garcia, John Denver, James Taylor, David Byrne, and his own Angelwood bluegrass band. He appears on numerous recordings, and has published dozens of instructional books. He is the bluegrass instructor for Homespun videos and is well known in Bluegrass, Irish, country western, rock and roll violin.

"Gorgeous, inspired playing" - Sing Out

"Klezmer and Bluegrass sound as if they were meant to be combined. Leverett & the Klezmer Mountain Boys have given us a wonderful gift." - Dirty Linen