2009 video
video by Jay Luries
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Jul 2020 Slideshow
Klezmer music is the traditional instrumental music of the Jews of Eastern Europe. Hasidic Jews were encouraged to express their piety through the ecstatic fervor of music and dance. The original Klezmorim played at both Jewish and Christian social events. The soulful music of the synagogue mixed with the verve of Gypsy melody is crucial to the Klezmer sound.
Keyna Hora Klezmer Band began years ago after Sid Lipton attended the Yiddish Folk Arts Festival ("KlezKamp"). He returned "high" on the Eastern European sound and beat, and was determined to start a band in Central New York. The first three members were: Marge Schlisserman on piano, Sam Katz on fiddle, and Sid on banjo.
Later joiners, but no less enthusiastic, are Al Kosoff and Mark Wolfe, percussion; Mimi Weiner, vocal and violin; Neil Novelli, banjo; Carl Borek and Megan McPherson, clarinet; Harry Sommer, vocal and dance leader; Harvey Pearl, mandolin; Ernie Wass (Violin), Sue Wass (keyboard), Cheryl Wolfe, vocal and dance; and Sam Young, baritone horn. Our repertoire shows the influence of jazz, rock, swing and New Age. The clarinet has joined the violin, as the major solo pieces. Klezmer music is now performed with brass, percussion, accordion….almost any instrument can be found in a Klezmer band.
The band now consists of 16+ members, rehearses weekly, and plays at Jewish citywide celebrations, synagogue events, nursing homes, dances, parties, weddings, and bar mitzvahs. The program includes shers, freylakhs, horas (all lively dances), doinas, marches, bulgars, nigns, polkas, mazurkas, hopaks, and waltzes. Vocals include ballads and show tunes from Yiddish theater.
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The Keyna Hora Band also hosts guest vocalists and visiting musicians.
