New Klezmer Trio at Berlin Jazz Fest

[Ari Davidow <jmusic...>]

The New Klezmer Trio, one of my favorite blends of avant garde jazz and
klez, will be performing at the Berlin Jazz Festival on November 28th. Any
readers in Europe are invited to "pop by." I should mention that Ben
Goldberg, the clarinetist, and Kenny Wollesen, the drummer, or Klezmorim
alumni. Ben, and the trio's bass player, Dan Seamans, are long-time klez
mavens who originated from the Santa Cruz klezmer group, Hotzeplotz, which
was active in Santa Cruz for several years in the early '80s, and then
moved to Berkeley. Another Hotzeplotz alumna, Kaila Flexer, is the
organizer of the annual Bay Area "Klezmania" bash, a Chanuka-time
gathering of klez veterans ranging from the traditionalists to just about
anything. (This is distinct from the Yiddish Folk Festival, which also has
a large bash in the spring, along with a week of concerts and workshops.)

Getting back to the New Klezmer Trio, those interested in the group's CD
can get a copy of same by sending $15 to:
     Ben Goldberg
     434 Wayne Ave.
     Oakland, CA 94606
Price includes postage in the United States.

The CD pursues jazz further into the avant garde than groups such as the
Klezmatics or Klezmokum. The fusion isn't always seamless, but it makes
for great, and thoughtful listening. It's a bit strange for me, because I
remember Ben taking Hotzeplotz in this direction before being distracted
by the Klezmorim. With half of the original Hotzeplotz in the current New
Klezmer Trio, it's almost possible to see the old band, in my mind's eye,
on stage, again.

ari
jmusic (at) israel(dot)nysernet(dot)org

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