The Jewish Innovation
Klezmer is a style of Jewish music that originated in Eastern Europe. Originally, all the music performed at a Jewish wedding – music for dancing, the ceremony, etc. – was part of the repertoire. The musical influences came from the synagogue, from European folk and even from Gypsy music. Klezmer crossed over to America in the great 19th century migrations. The violin as lead klezmer instrument in Europe changed to the clarinet in America. So too have the instruments and repertoire changed till this very day.
I have adapted lead klezmer playing to the acoustic plectrum (pick-style) guitar, one of the first to do so. A klezmer performer for over 25 years, this will be my first klezmer album. Including traditional tunes and my transcriptions of old recordings, I have composed a number of originals on guitar. Each instrument has its own style, whether composing or playing, so the nature of the guitar will give this recording a distinct flavor.
