So...what's a Klezmer?
Klezmer music is Eastern European celebration music, played at weddings and other happy events. The music is based in the Jewish tradition, but also includes gypsy music, and influences from other regions of Eastern Europe. It is an expression of both the joy & sorrow of the Jewish experience, alternating frequently between major & minor keys.
What's a klezmer band doing in the mountains of North Carolina you ask?
The answer, is quite a lot! Most of us have been playing for years nestled in Yancey and Mitchell counties. The Asheville connection happened when Andy taught an eight week klezmer workshop at the JCC which attracted the folks from Bandana in Mitchell County, and magic did ensue. Made up of Jewish and Gentile stock we play old time, old world klezmer music from the Carpathian mountain regions in eastern Europe. No twists, no fusions, not modern other than an occasional original tune. We collect melodies from older klezmorim, scratchy records, and out of print manuscripts. We have kept quite busy playing festivals, holidays, weddings, & bar mitzvahs, in synagogues, churches, dance halls, living rooms and cemeteries.
Bandana Klezmer is:
(left to right) Marc Rudow (fiddle), Meg Peterson (accordion & vocals), Rob Levin (guitar), Michael Hunt (percussion & tsimbl [hammer dulcimer]), Andy John (cello & harmonica),Tom Mills (fiddle & clarinet), and Naomi Dalglish (fiddle & vocals).
For Bookings...
| Contact: | Marc Rudow | 828.258.6901 | or | email us at | nu@bandanaklezmer.com |
| Rob Levin | 828.675.4331 | ||||
| Meg Peterson | 828.688.3576 |