KlezKamp קלעזקעמפּ Podcast

Interveiw with KlezKamp Staff Bassist Mark Rubin

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:05:00 -0500

Bassist and tuba player Mark Rubin of Austin TX sits down at the Radio KlezKamp studios for a lively discussion of Jewish Music and Identity with host Mitch Mernick

Interview with Henry Sapoznik, KlezKamp Founder and Director

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:45:00 -0500

An interview with Henry Sapoznik, founder and director of KlezKamp, from the series of interviews by WJFF in 2003 as part of WJFF's simulcast of a KlezKamp evening program, a recreation of the classic Yiddish radio program "Yiddish Melodies in Swing." In the interview Henry discusses the origins of KlezKamp, its role in the Yiddish world, Living Traditions, and Yiddish radio programs such as "Yiddish Melodies in Swing."

Interview with German Goldenshteyn, z"l, KlezKamp 2003

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:07:00 -0500

A lovely interview with German Goldenshteyn, z'"l, speaking in Yiddish, translated by Henry Sapoznik into English, by an interviewer from the public radio station of the Catskills, WJFF, from KlezKamp 2003. WJFF simulcast that year's "Yiddish Melodies in Swing" concert and dance party and conducted interviews of the participants. We will podcast many of these wonderful interviews with KlezKamp master musicians in the future. But now, a chance to hear German Goldenshteyn's lovely voice, speaking about his beloved music and his new life in America. The "German Goldenshteyn: A Living Tradition" CD as well as "From the Repertoire of German Goldenshteyn" books of his melodies (now available in both C and Bb versions) can be purchased at our online store: http://www.livingtraditions.org/docs/store.htm

Ear Band Dance Set - KlezKamp 2006

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:01:00 -0500

A dance set by the "Ear Band," one of the advanced dance bands that comes together at KlezKamp, rehearses one class period per day and then performs at the evening dance parties. The Ear Band learns and plays all of its music and arrangements by ear, without written arrangements. This 2006 KlezKamp Ear Band is led by Alex Kontorovich.

Hasidic Dance Band - Full Dance Set - KlezKamp 2001

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:04:00 -0500

A rollicking dance set by the KlezKamp 2001 Hasidic Dance Band, led by Sy Kushner.

"Mayn Shtetele Belz" - מײן שטעטעלע בעלז -Ray Musiker KK06

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:19:00 -0500

Clarinet master, Ray Musiker, plays the Yiddish classic, "Mayn Shtetele Belz," מײן שטעטעלע בעלז accompanied by Pete Sokolow on piano.

KK07 - Student Concert - Ken Maltz Traditional Ensemble

Tue, 27 May 2008 08:26:00 -0500

A wonderful performance by one of the Traditional Ensembles, this one led by KK veteran teacher clarinetist Ken Maltz. Like all student ensembles, this group of talented musicians had only come together at their first rehearsal on Monday of KlezKamp. They were able to produce this wonderful performance at the student concert on Thursday evening after meeting only four times. The musicians are: Rebecca Povodator, flute Nephi Temahuki, fidl Amrom Chodos, clarinet Yakov Pechersky, clarinet Dan Peisach, trombone Shaun Williams, accordion Gabriel Shapiro, bass Elliott Mills, drums

KK 07 Student Concert - Complete Dance Set by Pete Sokolow's Reading Band

Tue, 27 May 2008 08:05:00 -0500

The complete dance set of KK07'S student Reading Band led by Pete Sokolow from the last night of KlezKamp 2007. This band of students, led by their inimitable teacher Pete Sokolow, had, like all the student Dance Bands, only rehearsed and performed together for four days before this performance. They had never played together before meeting at their rehearsal on the first day of classes. The dancers at KlezKamp danced to this wonderful music, featuring different dances and melodies of Yiddish classics.

Aaron Alexander's Midrash Mish Mosh - KK06 Staff Concert

Mon, 19 May 2008 11:01:00 -0500

Aaron Alexander, drummer and arranger extraordinaire, brings a bit more non-traditional take on klezmer in this performance of "Klezmer Mish Mosh Pit" from his album "Midrash Mish Mosh." Joining Aaron in this performance from the 2006 Staff Concert are: Alex Kontorovich, clarinet Christian Dawid, clarinet Frank London, trumpet Mike Cohen, saxophone Marilyn Lerner, piano Dan Blacksberg, trombone Mark Rubin, bass www.aaronalexander.com

Andy Statman - Clarinet Solo - KK06 Staff Concert

Mon, 19 May 2008 10:27:00 -0500

A mesmerizing solo clarinet performance by one of the great klezmer musicians of our time, Andy Statman, playing a tune from the Bostoner Rebbe. To watch Andy play, a video clip of this same performance can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZU0gin4AAs

Sanne Moricke and Christian Dawid - Accordion & Clarinet - KK 06

Mon, 19 May 2008 09:54:00 -0500

A beautiful duet by husband-wife duo Christian Dawid and Sanne Moricke. They are among the most prominent klezmer players in Europe. Their band, Khupe, is, according to one reviewer, "[a} profoundly intense artistic dialogue: Two musicians play, improvise, and probe into a narrative music, that is ecstatic and nimble, unadorned and poetic, serious and unsentimental, virtuoso and humorous - a wholly living music full of lightness, warmth and depth, a music that is always growing while remaining deeply rooted in tradition." Both Sanne and Christian are long-time members of the KlezKamp faculty, though they usually attend separately so that one can stay home with their children. 2006 KlezKamp was special in that both Christian and Sanne (and their children) were able to be in attendance at the same time and thus were able to give this wonderful live performance at the Staff Concert. www.khupe.de

Adrienne Cooper -- Two Yiddish Songs of Food

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:12:00 -0500

KlezKamp veteran and Yiddish singer Adrienne Cooper sings two songs on a favorite Yiddish theme: food. Recorded at the 2005 KlezKamp Staff Concert. She is accompanied by Zalmen Mlotek.

Jeff Warschauer & Deb Strauss - "Dem Fideles Neshome" (The Fidl's Soul)

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:07:00 -0500

A performance by Jeff Warschauer and Deb Strauss of Jeff's new setting of Shike Driz's poem "Dem Fideles Neshome" (The Fidl's Soul) from the KlezKamp 2005 Staff Concert. It features Jeff on vocals and guitar and Deb on the fidl. As they do in all of their performances, they translate the songs beautifully so that we all can enjoy not just the lovely music but also the poetry of the lyrics. www.klezmerduo.com

KlezMas - Panel Discussion with Klezmorim and their mothers

Mon, 05 May 2008 09:43:00 -0500

Photo of panel by Bob Blacksberg A great panel discussion featuring leading figures in the Klezmer scene and their mothers, all of whom have been active KlezKampers: Singer and artist Susan Leviton, with her mother Lillian (z"l) and her daughter Yona; Yiddish Scholar and Forverts editor Itzik Gottesman, with his mother singer and composer Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman; Musician and composer Zalmen Mlotek, with his mother, Yiddish song archivist Chana Mlotek; Trumpeter and singer Susan Watts, with her mother, klezmer drummer Elaine Hoffman Watts; and KlezKamp Founder and musician Henry Sapoznik, with his mother Pirl Shteynberg-Sapoznik. This lively discussion and opportunity for "kvelling" about their children by the KlezMas (embarassing for some) took place as an evening program during the 2004 KlezKamp whose theme was "Doyres"/ Generations.

Sanne Moricke and Merlin Shepherd - Accordion & Clarinet - Staff Concert 2004

Mon, 05 May 2008 09:27:00 -0500

A lovely duet by clarinetist Merlin Shepherd and accordionist Sanne Moricke at KlezKamp 2004's Staff Concert. Merlin (from England) and Sanne (from Germany) are two-thirds (along with bassist Heiko Lehmann) of one of Europe's foremost klezmer bands "Sukke." http://www.sukke.de/

Intergenerational Klezmer Jazz Advanced Orchestra - led by Pete Sokolow at 2004 KlezKamp "Doyres" Concert

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:39:00 -0500

Photo of Paul Pincus & Ken Maltz The theme of 2004's KlezKamp was "Doyres"- Generations. One of the evening concerts was the "Doyres Concert" where three intergenerational groups of KlezKamp students and faculty, led by Pete Sokolow, German Goldenshteyn, z"l, and Elaine & Susan Watts performed. This is the performance of Pete Sokolow's "Intergenerational Klezmer Jazz Advanced Orchestra." The set begins with what Pete calls "comparative doinas" with each player taking a solo turn (the first taken by the sublime Paul Pincus, z"l). It then turns to full-on rollicking klezmer by the entire orchestra. The players, representing musicians in their early twenties to those in their eighties, are: Pete Sokolow (piano, arrangements, orchestra leader) Paul Pincus (alto sax, clarinet) Ken Maltz (clarinet) Cookie Segelstein (fidl) Alex Kontorovich (tenor sax) Michael Winograd (alto sax) Dan Blacksberg (trombone) Susan Watts (trumpet) Matt Temkin (drums) Jim Guttmann (bass)

Sherry Mayrent, Pete Rushefsky & Madeline Solomon in Concert on Radio KlezKamp 2006

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:49:00 -0500

A 2006 concert by Living Traditions' Associate Director for KlezKamp and clarinetist Sherry Mayrent, Pete Rushefsky on the tsimbl and Madeline Solomon on the flute. This concert/jam session was broadcast and recorded by Radio KlezKamp, the in-house radio station run by Mitch Mernick. Radio KlezKamp adds greatly to KlezKamp by giving a performance platform to KlezKampers of all musical levels and by recording these performances for posterity.

Y.Y. Jacobson, Editor of the Algemeiner Journal, speaks at KlezKamp 2006

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:51:00 -0500

A fascinating discussion of the theme of KlezKamp 2006, "Hasidish Yiddish," by the vibrant young editor of the Algemeiner Journal, the major Yiddish weekly of the Hasidic community, Yosef Yitzkhok Jacobson. Jacobson gave a bilingual Yiddish-English talk before a large group of rapt KlezKampers tracing his own recent history as the new editor of his newspaper and his effort to incorporate and, indeed, introduce its readers to the richness of Yiddish literature. It is the Algemeiner Journal that is reprinting great works by writers, such as Peretz and Mendele (as well as new writing by important contemporary Yiddish cultural figures from the secular world) in its pages and on its website. He encouraged KlezKampers to contribute to the literary and political dialogues which are found in its pages and, by his presence and by his words, did much to build the bridge between worlds of Yiddish lovers that need not be estranged. Y.Y. Jacobson is a charming and charismatic man who has the will, the position and the ability to be a truly transformative, historic figure in the world of Yiddish. We who heard him speak could not help but be inspired to work together with him in service of our mutual love of Yiddish language and all parts of its culture. We were honored to have Y.Y. Jacobson at KlezKamp and look forward to working together with him well into the future. www.algemeiner.com

Michael Wex sings "The Kosher Part of Me"

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:04:00 -0500

A highlight of recent Staff Concerts has been the fine MCing of the inimitable Michael Wex. Wex, whose lectures on Yiddish language and Yiddish life are perennial KlezKamp highlights, is the author of the best-selling "Born to Kvetch" and "Just Say Nu!". Both books were based on material largely presented and refined at KlezKamp through the years. Here, however, we see the inner country-singer of Michael Wex, singing his unique rendition of his old-country/western composition, "The Kosher Part of Me" at the 2004 Staff Concert. He is backed by Pete Sokolow on piano, David Licht on drums, and Mark Rubin on bass. http://www.the-yiddish-world-of-michael-wex.com/

The Youngers of Zion - Sapoznik/Rubin/Segelstein

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:02:00 -0500

Live recording from the 2004 KlezKamp Staff concert of the klezmer supergroup "The Youngers of Zion," featuring Henry Sapoznik on the tenor guitar, Cookie Segelstein on the fidl, and Mark Rubin on the bass. The Youngers' traditional klezmer sound is unmatched. Their CD, "The Protocols," is available on the Living Tradition website: http://www.livingtraditions.org/docs/store.htm

Yosl Kurland sings "Moyshe Kapoyer"

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:54:00 -0500

Yosl Kurland, a long-time KlezKamper and staff member, sang his own charming Yiddish composition about Moyshe Kapoyer, the legendary Jew who gets everything backwards, at the 2007 Staff Concert. He is accompanied by Pete Sokolow. Yosl is the long-time leader of Western Massachusetts' klezmer band "The Wholesale Klezmer Band" and his wife, Peggy Davis, and their children Aaron Kurland-Davis and Kayla Kurland-Davis, all integral members of the KlezKamp community, live on their farm called "Gan Eydn." http://www.crocker.com/~ganeydn/

Ray Musiker: A Living Tradition - "New Old Bulgar"

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:29:00 -0500

The first cut from the "Ray Musiker: A Living Tradition" CD, the second in Living Tradition's "A Living Tradition" CD series. In "New Old Bulgar" Ray Musiker, on clarinet, is backed by an all-star band of KlezKamp faculty musicians in an arrangement by Pete Sokolow: Aaron Alexander: drums Jim Guttmann: bass Alex Kontorovich: alto sax and clarinet Ken Maltz: tenor sax and clarinet Henry Sapoznik: guitar Peter Sokolow: piano Engineered by King Django As a scion of the prestigious Musiker family, clarinetist Ray Musiker has been central to some of the most important moments in 20th century Yiddish-American music. In the CD, accompanied by a handpicked ensemble of today's finest klezmer players, Ray Musiker offers a thrilling tour of the music he learned and the music he created. For more information about the CD, go to www.raymusiker.com To buy the CD and to see other Living Traditions recordings, go to http://www.livingtraditions.org/docs/store.htm A Radio KlezKamp 2007 interview with Ray and his wife Julie was posted on this site on December 30, 2007. see http://klezkamp.mypodcast.com/2007/12/Interview_with_Ray_and_Julie_Musiker-68484.html

Andy Statman interviewed by Henry Sapoznik

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:51:00 -0500

A driving force behind the neo-klezmer movement since its inception in the early 1980s, Andy Statman remains an extraordinary paradox: a musician devoted to musical tradition who also continues to break new artistic ground. A celebrated mandolin player in the "Newgrass" movement of the 1970s, Andy Statman has reinvigorated yet another realm of traditional musicmaking - klezmer - with his own particular blend of virtuosity, and originality. Acknowledged among the most authoritative of klezmer revivalists, Andy Statman was the pupil of master clarinetist Dave Tarras, who bequeathed his instruments to Statman when he died. In this interview conducted before a packed audience at KlezKamp 2006, KlezKamp founder Henry Sapoznik interviews Statman, his fellow pioneer of the klezmer revival.

Interview with Paul Pincus

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:39:00 -0500

A 2004 interview of the late great klezmer clarinet master, Paul Pincus, by Radio KlezKamp macher Mitch Mernick. Paul talks about his recording, "Music for Happy Occasions," his musical colleagues and his extraordinary career playing Yiddish music. You may hear Paul Pincus playing on an earlier podcast posted March 10, 2008, available on this site, http://klezkamp.mypodcast.com/2008/03/Paul_Pincus_plays_Ikh_hob_dir_tsufil_lib-89612.html

Josh Horowitz & Cookie Segelstein duet

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:51:00 -0500

Accordionist Josh Horowitz & violinist Cookie Segelstein play a virtuoso duet. Josh and Cookie are two-thirds of the ensemble "Veretski Pass" and are integral members of the band "Budowitz." This performance was recorded live for Radio KlezKamp at KlezKamp 20 in 2004.

Sid Beckerman Dance Set - KlezKamp 1998

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:28:00 -0500

From 1998 KlezKamp, a recording of a dance set led by the late Sid Beckerman z"l, one of the great klezmer clarinetists from the heydey of American Yiddish music. Sid embodied the principle of KlezKamp. He was one of the links from his generation of klezmorim to the new generations of players who came to learn at KlezKamp. Sid often played long sets of dance music with members of the KlezKamp staff at the evening dance parties. Sid's father, Shloymke Beckerman, was one of the great klezmorim of his generation. Living Traditions will be issuing a rare recording of Shloymke Beckerman later this year. This set features Sid (clarinet), along with Hankus Netsky (piano), Jim Guttmann (bass), David Licht (drums) and Henry Sapoznik (banjo).

Andy Statman & Mark Rubin play Bluegrass

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:10:00 -0500

The 2007 KlezKamp staff concert had a special treat. Master klezmer Andy Statman took a short break from his magnificent klezmer playing to wear his other hat as a bluegrass mandolinist. In fact, Andy was nominated for a Grammy this year for Best Bluegrass Instrumental for the piece he plays here, "Rawhide", from his album "East Flatbush Blues". Andy is joined by another maven of many musical modes, bassist Mark Rubin.

Michael Winograd - 2007 KlezKamp Staff Concert

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:06:00 -0500

Clarinetist Michael Winograd started attending KlezKamp as a child. He is now a member of the KlezKamp faculty, one of a new generation of KlezKamp staff that has grown up in the program. Here, recorded at the 2007 Staff Concert, Michael is joined by Deb Strauss on the violin, Pete Rushefsky on the tsimbl, and Heiko Lehmann on the bass.

Paul Pincus plays "Ikh hob dir tsufil lib"

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:13:00 -0500

This episode, from the 2004 KlezKamp Staff Concert, features the late, great clarinetist Paul Pincus playing "Ikh hob dir tsufil lib," a famous Yiddish tune written by his friend Alexander Olshanetsky. He is accompanied by Pete Sokolow on the piano.

Susan Leviton Sings Folksongs - Radio KlezKamp 2005

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:51:00 -0500

This podcast is a mini-concert by Susan Leviton for Radio KlezKamp at KK 2005. Susan Leviton, a KlezKamper from year 3, has taught papercutting, lettering arts, and a variety of vocal classes over the years. Although she frequently performs with instrumental musicians, she gravitates to the a capella styles of the folk genre. "Katarina Moloditsa" is a clever macaronic song mixing Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ukrainian. "Es is nokh faran aza blum," published in the Mlotek's songbook “Songs of Generations,” is a beloved song from inter-war Poland, recalled by Yosl Mlotek, a"h, and was learned by Susan at his request.