Klezska Live @ Tonic Sunday Brunck July 6th

[glenn tamir <klezska...>]

Well, it's been a long seven months but we're finally takin' it to the streets 
so-to-speak.  Klezska will be debuting at the Tonic Klezmer Brunch on Sunday 
July 6th.  Shows are at 1:30 and 3:00 with and admission price of $10.00.
 

Klezska combines Klezmer, Jewish, Israeli and original melodies with 
traditional Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae rhythms and arrangements.  This 
eight-piece ensemble stretches out with powerful jazzy improvisational solos 
remeniscent of groups like The Skatalites and John Coltrane while providing the 
"Jewish" sound of the Klezmer and Middle-Eastern Music.  The Ska and Rock 
Steady beats will keep you dancing while your head is exploring the music.  

 

You can hear some of our music at www.klezska.com .   Thanks and we hope to see 
you there!

 

 


Klezska Bio Sheet  (partial)

 

 

Alex Kontorovich - Clarinet, Alto & Baritone Sax:

 

Alex Kontorovich was born in Voronezh, Russia, an Eastern European city south 
of Moscow which is currently the home of a large Neo-Nazi movement. He and his 
family settled in New Jersey in 1988, and he became involved with music soon 
thereafter. Throughout high school, Alex played mostly jazz and classical 
saxophone, performing with various All-State and Tri-State groups at venues 
including the Village Vanguard and Birdland clubs in NYC. In college, Alex 
returned to his roots by picking up the clarinet and co-founding the Klez 
Dispensers, a critically acclaimed klezmer ensemble. Alex's recording, touring, 
and performance credits run a gamut of styles, from a classical saxophone trio, 
symphony orchestras, and wind ensembles, to big bands, blues and swing, and 
hard bop ensembles. More recently, he joined several of King Django's projects, 
including the Roots and Culture Band, and has been playing ska and reggae ever 
since. 

 

 

Wayne Batchelor ? Acoustic/Electric Bass:

 

Wayne Batchelor began his career as a jazz bassist at London?s Guildhall School 
of Music, on the post-graduate jazz degree course alongside rising UK musicians 
such as Steve Williamson (saxophone), Jason Rebello (keyboards), and Cleveland 
Watkiss (vocals).  There followed an eight-year long successful career on 
London?s jazz scene, during which time Wayne traveled the world as a member of 
sax-player Courtney Pine?s band, Jason Rebello?s Quintet, and pianist Julian 
Joseph?s Quartet.  Wayne also played in acid-jazzer Ronnie Jordan?s band, 
supporting Barry White?s UK tour, and touring to Europe, the USA and Japan. He 
also played with Guru in New York.  Other UK collaborations included work with 
ex-Jazz Messenger Jean Toussaint, pianist Stan Tracey, alto saxophonist Pete 
King, vocalist Tina May, the Jazz Warriors, the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra 
(including a world tour and television work) and Bernardo Sassetti (Portuguese 
jazz pianist).

 

Soon Wayne?s name became known on the international circuit and has played with 
artists such as Eddie Harris, Clark Terry, Art Farmer, Billy Childs, Carmen 
Lundy, Melba Joyce Gene Harris, Joey Calderazzo, Marlena Shaw, R&B vocalists 
Will  Downing and Jonathan Butler, and in Europe with South African pianist 
Bheki Mseleku.

 

In 1995, following eight years of work and study, Wayne decided to return to 
education, this time at the invitation of Reggie Workman, Coordinator of 
Instruction in the Mannes Contemporary Music program at Manhattan?s New School. 
 Known as the bass-player from London, Wayne quickly became a regular on the NY 
circuit, at the same time as studying under the tutelage of Buster Williams, 
Wayne fitted in gigs and tours with Carlos Garnett, Les McCann, Monty 
Alexander, Chico Freeman Bobby Watson, James Williams, Ernest Ranglin, Chris 
Potter, Sly Dunbar, Dean Fraser, Kirk Whalum and Terrell Stafford.  More 
recently he?s worked with Jimmy Heath on the QE2 Transatlantic Jazz Cruise 
(Tribute to Oscar Peterson), Houston Person, Wycliffe Gordon, Ron Blake, Frank 
Wess, Hilton Ruiz, Ingrid Jensen, Mark Murphy, Jeanie Bryson and Ernie Watts.  
In 1998 Wayne joined vocalist Nnenna Freelon?s working band and since then has 
worked with her all over the world, including most recently the Fujitsu Concord
 Jazz Festival in Japan and with the Takana Miyamoto trio, a special concert at 
Washington?s Kennedy Center with Take 6 and a gala concert with George Benson 
at the Royal Albert Hall, London.  Wayne is also featured on Nnenna?s album 
?Soul Call? which was nominated for 2 Grammy Awards and her latest album 
recorded live at the Carolina Theatre in NC and in Washington DC at the Kennedy 
Centre.

 

Meg Montgomery - Trumpet:

 

Meg Montgomery has been playing trumpet for 27 years, including such
varied styles as Classical, Jazz, Funk, Punk, African, Caribbean, Klezmer,
Broadway and Freejazz.  Upon graduation from Indiana University, she began
her musical career in NYC and in 1997 released her first album, Le Collage
C'est Fou!! which combined African, Caribbean and Funk elements.  In 1997
she also opened her production company, Worldly Vibe, which speicializes
in music and web design for artists. Meg has performed at Carnegie Hall,
Madison Square Garden, various Reggae festivals around the US and
Caribbean, and in 1998 debuted her stage personality, Electric Meg, at the
Burning Man festival in Nevada.  Currently, in addition to Kleska, she is
in production on her 2nd album of compositions, as well as producing an
album of techno desert music for the Grand Desert Festival in Morocco, and
working as technical director with Sussan Deyhim for an upcoming
multimedia extravaganza.  Meg is also a computer software specialist.  You
can visit her at http://www.worldlyvibe.com

 

Nick Balaban - Keyboards:

 

A graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, Nick has roots in 
many types of music including Blues, Jazz, Funk, World and Jamaican Music of 
all types.  As the daytime musical director for the children's TV show "Blue's 
Clues", Nick brings a wonderfully playful level to the group and his wide 
experience with Jamaican Music.  Having toured with Reggae superstars, Culture 
throughout Europe and Japan, Nick's jazz influence makes the Ska reminiscent of 
The Skatalites which is the roots of all reggae music.  

 

 

 

Cedrick Im Brooks - Tenor Sax:

 

Cedrick Brooks is a legend in Jamaican Music.  Having recorded on  literally 
uncountable numbers of ska and reggae albums from the late 60's through today, 
Cedrick is a regular with the legendary ska band, The Skatalites.  Cedrick is 
also an accomplished African drummer who brings this skill to the Klezska 
bandstand.  What more can you say other than, "it's Cedrick Im Brooks."

 

 

www.klezska.com

skavanagila (at) klezska(dot)com

 



KLEZSKA - part of the next wave in Jewish music www.klezska.com

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