KlezCalendar

In this joyous celebration of the Channukah Festival of Lights, expect music that pulls at a mix of emotions and will have folks tapping feet and dancing in the aisles. Lead singer Allan Merovitz, formerly of the legendary Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band will add another dimension of his repertoire. He will perform classic Jewish folk tales for the season, and there will be latkes and other traditional Jewish foods to eat.

KlezMerovitz combines the centuries old tradition of Klezmer with some modern western twists. According to Leo Rosten: "Klezmer Music is a style of music that is inherently Jewish in nature. The word Klezmer comes from two Hebrew words, clay and zimmer, meaning vessel of music or song. The idea is that the instrument ie. the violin, clarinet, takes on human characteristics like laughing and crying. With a joyous exuberance or a soulful wailing."

Klezmer musicians were the wandering minstrels of the European Jewish world. KlezMerovitz continues the tradition giving it a distinctly western Canadian flavour.

What people are saying about KlezMerovitz…

"Amazing performance. This is what folk festivals are all about"—Steve Eichler, board member of the Calgary Folk Festival, after KlezMerovitz workshop performance with India's Kawa Brass Band.

"You've got some of the best new klezmer music that I've heard in a long time, and your renditions of the traditional pieces on the album really rock, too. You can be sure that my listeners are going to be hearing a lot of Klezmerovitz. Thanks for the great music—Barry Reisman, host WNWR, AM, Philadelphia, PA

"This CD has much to interest listeners from all backgrounds. … the music transcends linguistic barriers—there is never a dull moment … And the Calgarian band of strings, winds and percussion is versatile and sensitive, providing just what is needed—whether it be a rollicking oompah-pah beat, a jazzy-blues feel, or eloquent heart-rending melodies. …A great klezmer compilation."—Annette Sanger, WholeNote Magazine, Toronto