(adv.) New Sokolow double CD!

[a bisl yidishkayt <klezmer...>]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Whether you are a fan of klezmer and Yiddish theater or American vaudeville and jazz genres, the double CD "Peter Sokolow and the Original Klezmer Jazz Band", distributed exclusively by a bisl yidishkayt, is bound to please.

Pete Sokolow is a musical bridge between the alte mevinim (old masters) - having played for a generation with the Epstein Brothers band - and younger revivalists - having taught many of them. He has written arrangements for Josh Waletzky's documentary "Partisans of Vilna" and Zalman Mlotek's show "The Golden Land" and recorded over 30 albums. 

This album reflects his piano wizardry, musical sense of humor and arranging mastery - and is simply a lot of fun!  Sokolow showcases his loves: swing, ragtime, Dixieland, novelty/vaudeville, Yiddish theater - and of course, klezmer. 30 tunes represent  sessions from 1984 to 1993 with veteran musicians - the incredible Ken Gross on trumpet, Si Salzberg on drums, Henry (Kapelye, KlezKamp) Sapoznik on banjo and vocals, and Joel Chernet on clarinet and sax.  (You will recognize the first four from Pete's "Klezmer Plus" album with Sid Beckerman and Howie Leess.)  Some of the other, equally wonderful personnel change between sessions - notably Danny Rubinstein and his sweet, easy-going clarinet on the 1993 cuts.  

Per Pete, the tunes are presented as they were played by working musicians to entertain Jewish-American audiences - versus being presented as sterile "art."  Some of them are straight copies of klezmer classics, like the Dave Tarras Kalle Basetzen and March.  Many present, first, the traditional klezmer or Yiddish theater tune, and then, with a piano, bass, or drum break, transition into an American style.  For example "That Red-Hot Bulgarian Charleston Dance" is Naftule Brandwein's famous der heyser - the segue is a pure Charleston version of it! 

There are also vaudeville numbers, mostly vocals with dated-comic lyrics about ladies, fat ("Palesteena" featuring Sokolow's fake English accent) and otherwise ("I'm an Indian").  Some are just plain silly, like "Duvid Crockett" (King of Delancy Street.  "?gefligt him a tshikn ven he was only 3".)

Also of note are Pete's stride piano piece "Russian Fantasy" ? and Leybke Beethoven's Doina, Pete's masterful bow to PDQ Bach, containing 4 famous "Leybke" symphonies sandwiched between clarinet and trumpet doina snippets, and fur Elise in the style of a hora!

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter Sokolow and the Original Klezmer Jazz Band?..Peysakh Duvid, the Swingin' Klezmer. (1999)
Cost: Double CD: $29.99 (plus postage $2.50)

Also available by Sokolow:

Piano and Keyboard Guide: Klezmer and Hasidic Music (folio) for the intermediate or advanced pianist and keyboardist, respectively.  Chord voicings, rhythm tips, harmonic theory, style, historical overview.
$14.50 + postage ($2.99 first class or $4.50 Priority Mail). In stock.


Guide to Klezmer Arranging and Orchestration (folio)
Tips on how to combine instruments, the limitations and strengths of each, phrasing, notation, historical performance practices, etc.
$16.99 + postage ($3.25 first class or $4.50 Priority Mail). In stock.

Klezmer Plus 
Club date klezmer of 60s era; wonderful playing and arrangements Includes Sid's Freylekh, Tarras bulgars, a Tish Nign, Ot Azoy, a theater medley - tunes familiar and not. Features Sid Beckerman on clarinet, Howie Leess on tenor sax, Ken Gross on trumpet, Si Salzberg on drums, Henry Sapoznik on banjo.
CD $15, cs. $9 (Postage $2.50 or $2 respectively)

Klezmer Plus Folio & CD: $24.99
Good learning tool for intermediate and above clarinetists, trumpeters, and sax players in particular - and repertoire builder for klezmer bands. (Postage $4.50)

The Compleat Klezmer
The bible of the genre; historical intro by Sapoznik; theory and explanation of styles by Sokolow (who also wrote out the charts).  CD contains excerpts of each of the tunes.
Folio + CD, $24.  (Postage $4.50) Usually in stock.





--------------------------Three ways to order--------------------------


1.  Order on-line with your VISA or Mastercard:   http://www.yiddishmusic.com

2.  Call or fax our toll-free number -  1-877-YIDDISH.  
(In area codes 781 or 617 please call 781-643-1957)

3.  Send check or money order  (in U.S. funds) to:
a bisl yidishkayt
P.O. Box 400331
Cambridge, MA  02140-0004

B)  If you live in Massachusetts, please add 5% to the cost of your order before shipping.  

C)  GIFT WRAPPING IS AVAILABLE!  And we can mail to your giftee.
Cost is $1.50 per item