Ready for this? From their bio: “Juez is a breakbeat-klezmer-jazz band of Orthodox kids from D.C., Chicago and New York.” I could get my head immediately around all those concepts with the exception of “klezmer.” Translated it means “the human being becomes the bearer of the song.” I like that. I back it. I’m pretty sure klezmer is the flavor of these already spicy, improvisational jazz joints. If you’re an aficionado, hit the comments to shed further light on the klezmer scene…
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Klezmer is the itinerant music of Eastern Europe, a synthesis of Jewish soul, Gypsy passion, Turkish rhythms, Russian fervor. Listen carefully to the structure, the heart of klezmer and you'll see the roots of jazz, of Dixieland and even punk! There are klez bands in the Deep South and in China, in Australia and Soho, and in parts of Russia and Poland where only faint remnants of once-thriving Jewish culture remain… even in Anetevka, the "home" of Fiddler on the Roof, where there are no more Jews.
Listen to Hassidic New Wave, anything involving Frank London and Britain's Oi Va Voi for the newest twists on ancient themes, or salsaklez from Meshuggenismo, rocklez from the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars, DJ Socalled for hiphopklez, Klezska for, well, skaklez, and rockin punk klez from Yid Vicious. You should enjoy!
Klezmer is a traditional form of Jewish folk music. Itzhak Perlman did a great album of klezmer music about four or five years ago that is most definitely worth checking out.
I get a kick out of the name of this group, it’s definitely some really good stuff. Jazz with a slightly ethnic twist.
Another terrific klezmer band: the Klezmatics. Funky clarinetish beat-driven music in a schizophrenic mood – one minute they’re bearing the weight of the world, the next they’re singing a love song to Manhattan.
Great points, everyone. The Klezmatics appear on the Ben Folds Five’s “Steven’s Last Night in Town” off Whatever and Ever Amen for those of you familiar with the song.
Juez is a really great band, not that I’m a member of juez. If I was a member, which I’m not, then I would be one of the coolest people in the world. I really enjoy their hybrid fusion of punk abrassiveness with klezmer jazz ala’ Masada especially 2 minutes 30 second into the 5th track of their Shemspeed Alt Schule album. It’s a shame I’m not in Juez.
khevre is one of the hottest young bands one the klezmer scene, they are playing around boston and NY, currently they have no mp3’s online, but the klezmatics have been giving them gigs that they can’t do, so they must be hot. check out http://www.khevre.com for shows and stuff if you want to be in on an up and coming band
Another great klezmer band that breaks all the rules is the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars who mix in free improvisation and the second line beats their hometown is known for. http://www.klezmers.com
The Klezmatics did a very nice album with Israel’s Chava Alberstein who sings in Yiddish and Hebrew. I remember it got some sort of award.
I got to hear them in a club at Ithaca NY in the early ’90s. One thing that happened there was identifying people as Jewish buy the tears in their eyes…
Music is strange that way.
Check out Andy Statman. He’s a cat who came up playing newgrass mandolin with people like Vassar Clements and Tony Trischka. His current ax is the clarinet and in the Andy Statman Jazz Quartet he reveals a definite Coltrane influence.
Juez. hmmm. Killer improvisational chops at breakneck speed. Matt Wetstein’s trumpet playing is robust with a full tone. This is klezmer with a jam based technique similar to what Frank London sometimes leads. This has a certain garage rock edge, tho. This is lower east side music if ever there was such a thing. It feels ancient, wreaks of Jewish, but has this punk rock feel. Just like Orchard street and Rivington.