Bill Averbach
The eclectic style of the Austin Klezmorim is a fusion of the old and the
new; Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Oriental traditions fused with
American Jazz from the 20's to the present, South American music, and
Southwestern music. Through this synthesis the Austin Klezmorim produce some
of the most soulful and contemporary music in Texas without losing the
traditional flavors that have passed the true test of time. Their music
includes horas, shers, bulgars and jazz styles that evoke images of the
Roaring Twenties, the Steppes of Eastern Europe, the dry deserts of the
Middle East and the fiery emotionalism of America's contemporary East and
West Coast jazz scenes, all with a flavor of Texas. Their concert program
provides an insider's view of Jewish music and their workshops for children
and adults are informative and provocative as well as highly entertaining,
offering "hands-on" experience with Jewish music.
RECORDINGS
The Austin Klezmorim have several recordings out on cassette and compact
disc. Their latest recording, EAST OF ODESSA, is the first cd of klezmer
music to come out of Texas and has received international acclaim. It has
just been re-released on Global Village Records and is selling like hotcakes
or maybe I should say "latkes". In addition to beautiful renditions of some
of the classic klezmer music the Austin Klezmorim have recorded some original
pieces on their cd such as ZELTSER VASSER, LOSIM GAYN, and THE BIG MEGILLAH,
which have been chosen for various film animation and video projects to be
released this year. Their newest project, temporarily called BUBBAS FROM THE
STEPPES OF TEXAS should be released in the Spring of '96 and promises to be a
very special recording combining the traditional and that which is truly
Texas.
What they are saying about the Austin Klezmorim...
- "Yossel! Yossel! in a ten gallon hat...perfect for listening and toe
tapping"- Hadassah Magazine
- "...the concert at the Celebration of Jewish Arts and Culture was
mind-blowing!" - Austin, TX
- "They are the best klezmer band I've ever heard..." - Pearland, TX
- "These guys really swing!" - Sharon, PA
- "We'll travel great distances to hear you. We have your recordings and
they're great!" - San Antonio, TX
- "The Austin Klezmorim are funny, informative and play the best klezmer I ever
heard!" - Kansas City, MO
- "These guys'll make you kvell!" - Houston, TX
- "The best Jewish Jazz this side of the Catskills..." - New Orleans, LA
- "The surprise hit of the Accordion Kings concert..." - Houston, TX
- "We got out of the car on the New York State Thruway and just danced the
first time we heard you." - somewhere in NY
- "We heard you play and just had to have you for our concert series. You will
be the best surprize ever!" - Los Angeles, CA
- "You guys are great! What musicianship! - Putnam Valley, NY
- "The music really made the festival special. I couldn't stop dancing and
moving to it." - Baltimore, MD
- "I heard your tape and it's the best! It's traditional klezmer mit a bissel
jazz, tango and Texas." - Tuscon, AZ
- "Music your bubba would like..." - Austin, TX
- "Heard your recordings on the radio...Please send three of each. They are
excellent gifts" - Saudi Arabia
- "The Rabbis of Rhythm....energetic and invigorating" - Music City Texas
Magazine
- "Fantastic!" - Philip Kutner, Der Bay Yiddish Network
Awards and Distinctions
- Clarksville Jazz Festival Musicians' Poll 1992-93; Best None-of-the-Above
Band
- Austin Chronicle Readers Poll; Top 10 Tapes of 1992
- Austin American Statesman; Top 10 Jazz CD's for 1994
- Music City Texas 1994 Insider's Poll
- Texas Commission on the Arts - Touring Artist Roster 1994-97
- Performances featured on Austin Music Network
Cassette Tapes
- Shalom Y'all!, Texas Klez, on BA Music Records
- Compact Disc, East of Odessa, on Global Village Records
CONTACT:
bamusic@eden.com
http://www.eden.com/~bamusic