Bandana Klezmer

Klezmer music is Eastern European Jewish celebration music, played at weddings and other happy events. The music is based in the Jewish tradition but is also influenced by other Eastern European musical traditions such as Romanian Lautar (gypsy) music, Greek, Moldavian, and Ukranian music. 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 old recordings, and contemporary klezmer musicians playing in the traditional stlye. We have kept quite busy playing festivals, holidays, weddings, & bar mitzvahs, in synagogues, churches, dance halls, living rooms and cemeteries.

Bandana Klezmer is:

Andy John (cello & harmonica), Michael Hunt (tsimbl [yiddish hammer dulcimer] and poyk [bass drum with cimbal]), Meg Peterson (accordion & vocals), Naomi Dalglish (fiddle & vocals), Rob Levin (guitar) , and Marc Rudow (fiddle and vocals).

For Bookings…
Contact:             Marc Rudow             828.258.6901             or             email us at             mhunt@mitchell.main.nc.us
Rob Levin             828.675.4331
Meg Peterson             828.688.3576