The Klezmatics: Pioneers of World and Klezmer Music

The Klezmatics are a Grammy Award-winning band from New York City who revolutionized klezmer music for the modern era. Formed in 1986, this eclectic ensemble blends Eastern European Jewish folk traditions with contemporary sounds from punk to jazz, achieving critical acclaim and a dedicated global following.

Early career

The band coalesced in New York's East Village in 1986, drawing members from the city's vibrant downtown music scene. Their early performances in clubs and at festivals established them as a dynamic live act, leading to their debut album, Shvaygn = Toyt, released in 1989 on the Piranha label.

Breakthrough

The Klezmatics achieved major international recognition with their 1997 album Possessed. This release, featuring collaborations with Israeli vocalist Chava Alberstein, won the German Critics' Award and solidified their reputation as genre innovators. Their 2006 album Wonder Wheel, featuring lyrics by Woody Guthrie, later earned them a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album.

Key tracks

Ale Brider — This rousing anthem, an adaptation of a classic workers' song, became a staple of their powerful live performances.

Shnirele Perele — A track from Possessed that showcases their masterful fusion of traditional klezmer with complex, modern arrangements.

Mermaid Avenue — The title track from their Grammy-nominated collaboration that set previously unheard Woody Guthrie lyrics to music.

Gonna Get Through This World — A standout from Wonder Wheel that highlights their ability to blend American folk spirituality with klezmer soul.

Continuing their innovative path, the band has released over a dozen albums on labels like Xenophile and Rounder Records. Notable collaborations include work with Itzhak Perlman, Arlo Guthrie, and the late, great folk singer Pete Seeger, further expanding their musical reach.

Fans of The Klezmatics' energetic fusion also enjoy the sounds of The Boston Camerata, which explores early and folk music with a scholarly yet passionate approach. The global folk explorations of Yiddish Summer Weimar resonate with a similar dedication to revitalizing tradition. The contemporary Jewish music of Daniel Kahn & The Painted Bird shares a punk-informed, politically engaged spirit. For more modern interpretations of klezmer, listeners can discover Yom, who blends the clarinet with psychedelic and world music influences.

The Klezmatics' vibrant catalog is a fixture on world music and eclectic folk radio stations featured on this website. Their recordings receive regular airplay on independent music radio stations and specialty programs dedicated to global sounds and cultural fusion, introducing new listeners to their unique sonic tapestry.

Listeners can explore the rich, evolving world of The Klezmatics through the radio stations available on onairium.com, where their Grammy-winning klezmer music is regularly featured for discovery and enjoyment.