KlezCalendar

Critically-acclaimed and award-winning, Beyond the Pale is one of the leading ensembles in Canada's folk, roots, and world music scenes. Their explosive acoustic sound is inspired by a wide range of cross-cultural influences, from European folk styles (Klezmer, Balkan, Gypsy, Romanian) to contemporary and North American styles (bluegrass, jazz, reggae, funk, and more). Combining consummate musicianship with exuberant showmanship, Beyond the Pale’s dynamic live performances have delighted audiences at major music festivals, theatres, and clubs across Canada and the US, and will soon be heard in Europe, in 2007.

Recording artists for the prestigious Canadian folk label Borealis Records, Beyond the Pale’s most recent CD release, a live effort of all-new material entitled “Consensus”, earned them critical acclaim and a number of honors, including “Best Instrumental Group” from the Canadian Folk Music Awards, “Best World Music Group” from the Toronto Independent Music Awards, and “Best Instrumental Composition” from the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals’ songwriting competition (for “Reunion”).

Beyond the Pale features Eric Stein (mandolin), Martin van de Ven (clarinet), Bogdan Djukic (violin/percussion), Aleksandar Gajic (violin), Milos Popovic (accordion), and Bret Higgins (bass).

They will be joined on December 7 by their frequent associate, New York's own clarinet/sax whiz Alex Kontorovich, leader of Deep Minor and member of the Klez Dispensers, Frank London's Klezmer Brass All-Stars, Aaron Alexander's Midrash Mish Mosh, and many more.