My Thoughts on the JMI's Klezfest 2009

Firstly, I should apologise for my loooong silence. The transition between studenthood and the real world has been a hectic one (which still hasn't yielded sustainable paid work). Now, on with my thoughts on something that happened back in August.... I've been going to the Jewish Music Institute's Klezfest on-and-off since I was 17 and was honoured this year to be invited to take part as a Fellowship Member, supporting the Faculty and doing some teaching. This year saw a focus on tutors based in Britain and Europe, rather than the big American contingency from previous years. Although spurred by the general lack of money, it also showed how the UK klezmer scene has 'grown up' since Klezfest's inauguration in 2001. Of course, I missed the lovely American tutors, such as Lisa Gutkin, Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer (we still had the wonderful Frank London in-charge) but was so proud to see we how well we can do it for ourselves with home-grown talent like Emma Stiman, Ros Hawley, Abigail Wood and author of the fantastic klezmer tutorial book 'Klezmer Fiddle' Ilana Cravitz. We were back at SOAS this year, at the Vernon Square campus in London's Kings Cross area (with a multitude of classrooms for our use), after several Klezfests at West london Synagogue, which is beautiful but lacking enough big spaces for workshops.

Frank London at the Klezfest Faculty Concert at the Jazz Cafe, Camden

Below are some of my highlights from the week, starting with the morning Nigunim (wordless meditation songs which come from the Hassidim) led by Polina Shepherd and Frank. Group singing is a really lovely way to start the day, especially when we're all able to do our own thing at our own pace (in that great Jewish heterophonic way) but relate to each other. It's like musical yoga. Here's a video....


Klezfest participants singing a nign known as 'Eins, Tsvey, Drei' ('One, Two, Three'). Sheet music available here.

Monday night saw a poignant evening of music and dancing presented by She'Koyokh klezmer ensemble in memory of their accordionist Jim Markovitch, who passed away last October. He was one of the people who first really inspired me to work at my klezmer playing because of he was an amazing musician, but also because he always had the time to chat and make me feel valued, even though I hardly knew him.

Dancing in memory of Jim Markovitch at Klezfest

Next on my list is the Klezmer: The Next Generation concert featuring Klezfest participants. Highlights included Yiddish song by Forspil and a wonderful Dutch quartet whose performance was very theatrical (see below).

Aldert Praast at Klezfest

I've saved the best bit for last: the performance by Paul Tkachenko's 'Techno-Creative' ensemble in the Student Ensemble Concert that rounded off the week. Reminiscent of the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra, Isaac Bashevis Singer and general Yiddish cheese and very funny. Enjoy!

The 'Techno-Creative' ensemble at Klezfest

There are some great photos taken throughout the week by Yoav Galai at Klezfest here.