Sabbath Hela Vecken is a Swedish Klezmer band. I had fun reviewing their first album, "Klez". A third CD, "Shadows" was released in 2004. Web: www.sabbathhelaveckan.se. E-mail Sabbath Hela Veckan. (Peter Bothén)

The San Francisco Klezmer Experience is now known as Klez-X

Hank Sapoznik and the Youngers of Zion offers traditional acoustic Yiddish dance music and song performed by three master musicians: Henry Sapoznik: tenor banjo and vocals; Cookie Segelstein: violin; Mark Rubin: tuba and string bass. Web: www.youngersofzion.com. E-mail Youngers of Zion. (Mark Rubin)

Schalom-Bakhshayesh is based in Manchester, UK. It is a Jewish music duo featuring violin and drums. Latest CD entitled "Shpil Klezmerl". Web: www.jewishmusicduo.co.uk. E-mail Schalom-Bakhshayesh. (Guy Schalom).

Schmalts Klezmer Ensemble is here to please your ear! Our San Diego, CA, Jewish group combines professional and recreational musicians: violins (fiddle), accordion, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, keyboard, vocals & percussion. Schmalts is a good Yiddish word, which means fat, and has a joyful connotation. Our band entertains in all music styles: Klezmer, Israeli, Dance, Yiddish, Sephardic, Hassidic, and more. Contact Doron Peisic, Klezmer Music Director: 858-229-0943. Web: www.Schmalts.com. E-mail Schmalts Klezmer Ensemble. (David Gmach)

Schpilkas was formed in 2001 by Haukur Gröndal (clarinet) from Iceland and the icelandic percussionist Helgi Sv. Helgason (drums, percussion). From the beginning the idea was to play klezmer music and check out different balkan styles, greek, bulgarian and macedonian. They decided to get the Danes Nicholas Kingo (accordion) and Peter Jørgensen (double bass) to play with them. In the year 2002 the group played on different venues in Copenhagen and the rest of Denmark. In august 2002 the group did it´s first tour to Iceland. In february 2003 the group recorded their first album "Sey mir gesunt". Released on "Rodent" and distributed by "12 Tónar" in Reykjavik. Current line up is: Haukur Gröndal clarinet, saxophone, Thomas Caudery trumpet, Nicholas Kingo accordion, Rasmus Moldrup double bass and Anders Provis drums. Web: www.schpilkas.net. E-mail Schpilkas. (Haukur Gröndal)

Sebes Duo, Veneto, Italy. An eclectic way of approaching klezmer music, starting from Roumanian music, classical hungarian music (Bela Bartok, Franz Listz) and jazzy styles of romanian urban gipsies. The two musicians are: Giovanni De Cecco: piano, toy piano, caval, fluier (roumanian flute), zongora (maramures guitar); Francesco Socal: clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor sax. Tel: 0039 1471581706. We are on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DNvPOuG9-E. Web: www.giovannidececco.com. E-mail Sebes Duo. (Giovanni De Cecco)

The Second Avenue Klezmer Ensemble, based in San Diego, CA, is a five member group dedicated to performance of Jewish music. They are well known for their lively, traditional performances of Eastern European Klezmer, Ladino folk tunes and the songs of the Yiddish musical theatre. Soprano Deborah Davis specializes in singing in Yiddish, Ladino and Hebrew. Robert Zelickman often amazes audiences with his mastery of three clarinets, including the sonorous bass. Guitarist Jiri Svoboda, renowned Bassist Bertram Turetzky and drummer Bob Weller complete the Ensemble's thrilling musical core. The Ensemble is the recipient of three touring grants from the California Arts Council. They are available for concerts, workshops and lectures. They released "For our mothers" in 1999. Tel: 619-275-1539. E-mail Second Avenue Klezmer. (Deborah Davis).

Berlin's very own orchestra special! Weaving, whirling, crashing, diving and bobbing eastern and western European lines and tunes in and out of each other. The 17 Hippies started in the spring of 1995 as a trio playing French bourrées and Cajun tunes. The trio mutated into an orchestra playing mainly non vocal music from around the world: Bavarian zwiefacher, Russian songs, Polish waltzes, Swiss zweutletscht, Jewish freylaks, Anglo American popsongs, Corsican dances, Scottish flings, Bulgarian oros, French chansons, Hungarian melodies, Latin-American tunes, North American ragtimes and more. After an original soundtrack album for the celebrated Film HALBE TREPPE the band's recent CD IFNI (just released on HIPSTER Records in January 2004 and distributed in the Netherlands by Xango Music Distribution) features our more song-oriented material. Featured is the tune "Marlène" that is in frequent rotation in France. The 13 to 17 musicians of the ensemble that (at any given time, and among other instruments) play accordion, trombone, trumpet, violin, cello, clarinet, mandolin, ukulele, banjo, guitar, double bass and sing, have musical backgrouns that range from rock-pop to classic and jazz. After starting their carreer playing weddings, opening day parties, baptisms the band has collected a sizable audience in Germany and France (their last concert in Berlin turned out more than 5.000!) and has brought them to reknown festival-stages throughout Europe. Outside Germany and France gigs were staged in Russia, Italy, the Chec Republic, Hungary, Vienna, Amsterdam, Monaco and the States. Web: http://www.17hippies.de. E-mail 17 Hippies. (Henry Notroff)

Shalom Aloha is now playing klezmer in the Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino and Island Style in the Honolulu area. Add some freylach to your luau! E-mail Shalom Aloha. (Suska Varda)

The Barry Shapiro Orchestra (BSO), Boston, MA, has been around since 1984. We play a wide variety of music but specialize in Jewish music. Everything from klezmer to Israeli folk dance with a little swing and rock and roll thrown in for good measure. Barry Shapiro, one of the founding members of the Klezmer Conservatory Band and Shirim, will make sure your event will go smoothly. Call 617-783-6341 or e-mail Barry Shapiro. (Barry Shapiro)

Shawn's Kugel is now known as "Kugel

We're called She'koyokh, based in London, UK, and we're a nine piece band that has studied traditional klezmer with Merlin Shepherd, Ilana Cravitz, Sophie Solomon, Alan Bern, Deb Strauss and Jeff Warschauer. We are using these experiences to create our own unique sound. We have clarinet, accordion, violin, mandolin, french horn, cello, double bass, poik and guitar. We're based in London and play all kinds of venues such as the Royal Academy of Music, university workshops, festivals (including Glastonbury), library openings, parties, Jewish and non-Jewish weddings, funerals, bar mitzvahs, parties, birthdays etc. We play anywhere and everywhere, in the street, on buses, trains and anywhere else we go. Tel: 07812 110 924. E-mail She'koyokh. (Susi Evans)

Merlin Shepherd Kapelye featuring the Former Soviet Union Klezmer Allstars, based in Brighton, UK. After teaching for many years at KlezKamp in the USA for many years, teaching "ear band" a large dance band that plays for evening dance sessions. I found it harder and harder to bring new repertoire that no-one knew, the purpose being to learn tunes "by ear". For this reason I decided that the best approach would be to write my own tunes, in the style of old tunes, in no way as a form of "cultural counterfeit" but to re-juvenate the tradition, and to develop it, if you will. Having spent many years also working at several klezmer/yiddish events in the former Soviet Union, namely Kiev, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kazan, I found myself in the company of a group of musicians who's artistry was a joy to behold. These players started as students but now have became colleagues. This is a compliment that it gives me great joy to pay them. I decided that I wanted to work more closely with them and see and hear them more often than once or twice a year. The resulting work became "Intimate Hopes & Terrors", released on Oriente Musik, (RIENCD58). It was reviewed and featured on the cover CD "Top of the World" in the March/April 2007 edition of Songlines. The band consists of 11 musicians, all of whom are soloists and teachers and professionals in their own right. Here we come together on a project that gives all of them a chance to shine, and gives a chance for them to be heard outside of their homelands. Please give respect and honour to this Kapelye, featuring the former Soviet Union Klezmer Allstars. Tel: +44 1273 55 37 37. Web: www.myspace.com/merlinshepherdkapelye. E-mail Merlin Shepherd.

di Shikere Kapelye, also known as the "Frank London Klezmer Brass All-Stars" is an amazing brass ensemble bringing klezmer to balkan village music. Or perhaps, village music to Klezmer. It's a truly amazing ensemble. The first CD which I refuse to allow out of sight of the CD changer, is the eponymous "Shikere Kapelye" which was one of this site's top ten albums of 2000. A second CD, "Brotherhood of Brass", was released in Germany in the spring of 2002. Mark Rubin maintains a webpage at http://www.franklondon.com/. (notes: Ari Davidow)

Shir is a London, UK based Jewish music acoustic quartet (Maurice Chernick - clarinet/voice, Piotr Jordan - violin, Ivor Goldberg - acoustic guitar/voice, Steve Rose - acoustic bass) playing Jewish Traditional music, Klezmer, Israeli Folk, Yiddish and Simcha music. Tel: 020 8346 6923. Web: www.shirmusic.co.uk. E-mail Shir. (Maurice Chernick)

Shir Elan is an acoustic folk duo playing traditional Jewish folk music in the Boston Metrowest and I-495 corridor area. Tel: 978 568-9553. Web: www.shirelan.com. E-mail Shir Elan. (Ed Hetzler)

Shir Madness is based in Boston, Massachusetts. We play at weddings, b'nei mitzvot, dances, block parties and other communtiy celebrations, and we're especially fond of playing in nursing homes for people who can sing along in Yiddish. Our repertoire is a mix of Yiddish show tunes and ballads, transcriptions of recordings from the golden age (Dave Tarras, German Goldenshteyn, Naftule Brandwein and many others), music unearthed while scouring libraries, Balkan and Israeli tunes, and some things we have written ourselves. Whether the original source is jazz, swing or pop, if it's got roots in Yiddishkeit, we'll consider it. We're an eight-piece band, but when the occasion calls for it, we can play as a smaller ensemble. Tel: 617-332-2954. Web: www.shirmadness.org. E-mail Shir Madness. (Richard Yospin)

Shira is a Madison, Wisconsin based band playing "Jumpin' Jazzy Jewish Music" for over a decade. It's a cross of traditional Jewish melodies and American jazz. The band released a CD called Soaked And Salted in 1995. Shira Music, PO Box 5593, Madison, WI 53705-0593. (608) 238-2452. E-mail Shira. (Abigail Cantor)

Shira U'tfila, based in Belgrade, Serbia, is a bend playing sephardic music of the Balkans, Middle East and North Africa both in Ladino and Hebrew. We published three CDs and participated in many festivals. We are represented by the JCCAB (Jewish centre for Culture and Art Belgrade) phone number is +381 11 2442 414. Adrress is Marsala Birjuzova 19 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia. Web: www.stefansablic.com/Engleski/music.html. E-mail Shira U'tfila. (Stefan Sablic)

"Nationally recognized for rocking renditions of classic klezmer and Yiddish music as well as fresh and creative innovations, Shirim features some of the most respected and experienced virtuosos of the klezmer movement. Featured are the sensuous and fervent vocals of Betty Silberman, who has starred in Yiddish Theater productions in Europe, Israel, New York, Boston and Los Angeles. Clarinetist Glenn Dickson has been featured as klezmer soloist in the Hollywood film "A Stranger Among Us", a new upcoming movie by Woody Allen and his compostions and arrangements have been compared to the consumate jazz composer Gil Evans." Albums available include the lovely, "of angels and horseradish," and the more experimental, essential "Naftule's Dream." Recent albums include "The Klezmer Nutcracker" (1998), "Oy, It's Good" (1999), and "Mayse (Tales)" in 2004. The Klezmer Nutcracker also begat a whole radio story with Ellen Kushner, 2000's "The Golden Dreydl." Since spring 1996, Shirim represents the more traditional side of the band, and the more experimental side of the band performs as Naftule's Dream. Web: www.shirim.com. Contact Eric Rosenthal, 617 522 2900. E-mail Shirim Klezmer Orchestra.

Silicon Vibe. When you need the perfect band with the "Wow" factor, invite Silicon Vibe to your event. Our Jewish repertoire brings fun music to your bar/bat mitzvahs, wedding receptions, fundraiser, and community festival. We also have an extensive Big Band, Motown and contemporary library. Our instumentation varies from 2-4 vocalists, 3-6 horns, and a rhythm section. The ensemble includes alumni from The Ray Charles Band, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Louis Bellson Orchestra and several others. One differentiator from the other party bands is our horns. Because we have 6 of them, we cover the Big Band material very well (in addition to the R&B, Motown, 80's, and recent Pop Stuff). Older audiences appreciate our treatment of the swing music/ballads (Sinatra, Etc) while younger audiences get into our modern stuff (like Shakira, Agulara, etc). It's a good span of audience tastes. Tel: 408.927.0854. Web: http://www.siliconvibe.com. E-mail Silicon Vibe. (Carlos Almeida)

The Shlepping Mishpacha Klezmer Band, London, UK, are a group of six highly skilled, professional musicians who can provide klezmer music, yiddish songs and jazz music for weddings, barmitzvahs and various other events. Tel: 07947249811. Web: www.shleppingmishpacha.com. E-mail Shlepping Mishpacha Klezmer Band. (Dave Shulman)

Shoresh, Long Island, New York, is a vibrant 3-12 piece Klezmer band—playing authentic Klezmer as well as Israeli/Ladino/Yiddish, dance, dance, and even shtick comedy. Together since 2000 this lively band features clarinet, fiddles, mandolins, viola, flute, guitars, drums and harmonic vocals. The group plays for simchas, private parties, fundraiser events, dance, for all ages. Tel: 516-482-8353. E-mail Shoresh. (Noam Segal)

Specializing in a variety of traditional Jewish and contemporary American musical styles, the Richmond, CA-based Shtetlblasters is a multi-faceted musical ensemble that specializes in weddings, B'nai Mitzvah, and special events. The group's repertoire spans many styles and generations. The band is equally at home playing high-energy traditional Israeli folk dance music, soulful R&B dance hits, and big band tunes from the Glenn Miller/Duke Ellington era! The Shtetlblasters was founded in 1992 in Berkeley, California and is comprised of talented musicians from around the San Francisco Bay Area. The word Shtetlblasters is a play on the word "ghettoblaster", a slang term for a portable tape player or "boombox." The Shtetl is the word for the Eastern European Jewish villages where so much of our soulful music, including Klezmer, originated in centuries past. Tel: 510.287.2540. Web: www.maxjas.com/shtetl.htm. E-mail Shtetlblasters. (Michael Gill)

The Shtetl Menschen, of Long Beach, CA, USA) are a volunteer band under the auspices of the Alpert Jewish Community Center of Long Beach, California. We usually number about 8 musicians. We've been together since August 1998, under the direction of Gordon Lentzner. Contact Joel Kizner MD (the banjo player) in his office at 562-630-8381. E-mail Shtetl Menschen. (Joel Kizner)

If you like the harmonica you'll love Shtreiml. Founded in 2002, and based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the group blends klezmer, chasidic, gypsy and jazz to create an exciting amalgam of flavours and textures, while staying true to the traditional compositions. What makes this group especially unique however is its sparse makeup and somewhat unusual mix of instruments. The group features Jason Rosenblatt on harmonica and piano, Josh Dolgin on accordion, Thierry Arsenault on drums and Ariel Harrod on bass. The group's first CD was released in 2002: Harmonica Galitzianer. Spicy Paprikash followed in 2003. Tel: 514-481-6647 (Canada) / 610-667-1691 (US). Web: www.shtreiml.com. E-mail Shtreiml. (Jason Rosenblatt)

Shvil HeHalav, based in Safed, Israel, is a progresive hassidic funk, full of humor, spirituality, virtuoso improvisation and crazy rhythms! A renaissance of a 'new' old tradition! The band consists of Shani Ben Canar: composition, vocal, guitar, saz; Sania Kroitor: violin; Gershon Weisserfirer: oud; Valery Lipets: bass; Arkasha Zapesotsky: drums; Vitaly Podolsky: accordion. The album, "Ben-Canar and Shvil Hehalav" is reviewed on the KlezmerShack. Tel: +972 54 519 427. Web: www.bencanar.org.il/. E-mail Shvil HeHalav. (Shani Ben Canar).

The Sim Shalom Klezmer Band is an X-piece hybrid band that plays both Jewish music and modern American popular secular styles (R&B, jazz, rock). We've been around for about twelve years in the Twin Cities area. The 5-piece Klezmer CD is done - let me know if you need a copy. The larger band CD is in pre-production, and will be available soon. The CD of the rest of the music is also done - the R&B, that is. The jazz stuff is in progress. Call me up!!! 612-232-3059. E-mail Sim Shalom. (Dave Haberman)

Simcha (formerly "Friends of Klezmer"), Columbia, SC. Founded to provide Jewish and Klezmer music for the local Columbia Jewish community, we now find ourselves travelling all over and are becoming very popular. Our group consists of keyboard, reed player on clarinets, tarogato,oboe & english horn, Violinist, guitar, bass and drummer. Tel: 803-787-6004. E-mail Simcha. (Jay King)

Simchah! is the Klezmer band at the University of Virginia. It is composed of students, alumni and faculty and performs in the Charlottesville, VA area and has also played NYC, Richmond, VA and Washington, DC. Currently there are seven members in the band, which has been in existence since 1994. Last year we produced the CD "Shpil Es Nokh A Mol" and our new CD "Simchah!—the rye album" will be out in January 2006. Web: www.people.virginia.edu/~dae2s/. E-mail Simcha. (Daniel A. Engel)

Matthew Reid is the Director and clarinettist of the Simcha Klezmerband, a Cape Town-based (South African) 6 piece band which plays concerts and at weddings and barmitzvahs. The band includes Bulgarian Stanislav Anguelov (Accordion), American Willie Haubrich (Trombone), Henrike Kovats (Double Bass), Briton Cheryl de Havilland (Cello and Percussion) and South Africans Titia Blake (Violin) and Matthew Reid (Clarinet/saxophone). Web: www.capeweddings.co.za/contracts/simcha/simcha.htm. E-mail Simcha Klezmerband. (Matthew Reid)

Simply Tsfat is a Chassidic trio, 2 guitars and a violin, 2 Americans and an Israeli. Niggunim, instrumentals, originals, suprises. Performances are dynamic and uplifting, including stories. Tel: +9724-692-1906 +97254-742466. Web: www.simplytsfat.com. E-mail Simply Tsfat. (Elyahu Reiter)

Sisters of Sheynville: an all-female swing-klez band, based in Toronto, Canada. Founded in 2005, with an idea to bring to life Yiddish swing, klezmer and roots music inspired by the Barry Sisters of the 1930s-40s old time radio era. Over time, the band's repertoire grew to include new original songs and arrangements of both traditional and jazz material, with lyrics in Yiddish and English. The band has appeared at a number of festivals, theatres and concert series. Their new CD "Sheynville Express", produced by Eric Stein, was released in November, 2007, and is available on cdbaby.com. Myspace: www.myspace.com/sistersofsheynville. For bookings, or to be on the sisters' email list, contact www.sistersofsheynville.ca. E-mail Sisters of Sheynville. (Lenka Lichtenberg)

The Solomon Sisters, based in London, UK, perform an eclectic mix of cabaret, comedy and glitz, with live klezmer band, choreographed showstoppers and special guest spots. Experience the distinctive blend of these two powerful voices as sensational sister duo fuse melodies and harmonies from the golden age of New York's Yiddish theatre. The Solomon Sisters have played at prestigious venues including Royal Festival Hall, Soho Theatre, Hackney Empire, Makor (New York), Pleasance Theatre (Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2007) and Theatre Royal, Winchester. They have also performed live on BBC London Radio. Tel: 07900 053470 / 07976 230346. Web: www.solomonsisters.com. MySpace: www.myspace.com/solomonsisters. E-mail Solomon Sisters. (Madeline Solomon)

Soul Explosion, London, UK, is the ultimate UK function band specialising in Full Jewish repertore , soul, pop,Jazz and dinner music. Bat/BarMitzvah's, weddings, events and functions. we travel worldwide to any location. our rates are competitive and include a top DJ free of charge, if you so wish. Soul explosion will give you a memorable evening for you and your guests. Tel: (+44)0207 168 7792 or (+44) 07932 727 466. Web: www.soul-explosion.com E-mail Soul Explosion. (David Cohen)

Souls of Fire was based in Southampton, UK. I have no working contact information. An album (1998) was released "Firedancing."

The Sound and Light Cinematic Duo, based in Brighton, East Sussex, Great Britain (Merlin Shepherd/ clarinet, bass clarinet and Polina Shepherd / piano) are performing new and traditional Jewish music to accompany silent Jewish films. Currently working with the Yury Morozov Archive (Kiev) which contains some of the earliest east European Jewish films. E-mail Sound and Light Cinematic Duo. (Merlin Shepherd)

The South Coast Simcha Band, based in Huntington Beach, CA, specializes in klezmer music, and also plays a wide variety of simcha music, including Israeli, pop standards, and jazz. We perform concerts, weddings, Bar/Bat Mitvahs, and private parties. The band's first CD, "Classic American Klezmer" was released in 2003. Web: www.scsimchaband.com. E-mail South Coast Simcha Band. (Renah Wolzinger)

Paul "Doc" Fribush (clarinet and tsimbl), Suzie Bolotin (vocals and keyboard), Wilma (Willie) Wallmark, and Sam Weinstein (bass) in "South of Delancey". Old world style klezmer and full range of Yiddish songs, with assorted other Eastern European stuff. Tel: 919-942-7346. E-mail South of Delancey. (Suzie Bolotin)

Spiel Azoi is a 6 piece band based in Melbourne Australia. Vocals, piano accordian, violin, bass, clarinet and drums. Playing traditional klezmer tunes and Yiddish folk songs Spiel Azoi are a vibrant, youthful, humourous and musically inspiring group. Spiel Azoi give life and refresshing originality to the traditional music of the Eastern European Jews and as a result both the musicians and the music are growing into something unique and special to Australia. We have released two albums: Shtetl, 2001, and Shpilkes, 2004. Web: home.vicnet.net.au/~azoi/. E-mail Spiel Azoi. (Sarah Mandie).

Spiel Klezmer Spiel is a klezmer band, founded in 2006 in Oegstgeest, The Netherlands, that consists of four young people (14-18) who like to make music with each other. We're playing clarinet, violin, trumpet, accordion, soprano saxophone, baritone tuba and more. Web: www.spielklezmerspiel.nl. E-mail Spiel Klezmer Spiel. (Aldert Prast)

Channe Nussbaum & Spielniks is a Danish jidpop/klezmer band which in 1997 released the first Danish klezmer CD, "Copenhagen klezmer", on the Danish record label Danica Records. The musicians are: Channe Nussbaum: lead and background vocals; Peter Jessen: clarinets; Jens Tolsgaard: accordion, mandola, piano; Torben Steno: guitar; Peter Nielsen: bass; Morten Krøgholt: drums, percussion. The press in Denmark received the first Danish klezmer CD, a style of klezmer fused with jazz and pop which they call "jidpop," with undivided enthusiasm. The six most important newspapers reviews were thrilled and filled with superlatives. All of the papers emphasised Channe Nussbaum's remarkable voice and Peter Jessen's melancholy and melodious clarinet on top of the steady dynamically grooving backing band. The band has this year been in Germany and is later going to Sweden and England. Around New Year Channe Nussbaum & Spielniks won a major Danish music award. In 1998 the group's second album, "Jidishe Mame" was released. If you are interested in more information or how to find your nearest dealer please contact: Danica Records, OH Musik ApS, Jersie Strandvej 5, P.O. Box 49, DK 2680 Solrød Strand, Denmark. Tel: (+45) 5614 6644, Fax: (+45) 5614 6667. E-mail Spielniks.

Sruli and Lisa, Westchester, NY, have done klezmer workshops with kids and adults for years. They also play simchas of all sorts. Fixtures at KlezKamp, KlezKanada, they have released two children's albums (Sruli and Lisa Oy Vey! Chanukah!, 1999, and Young People's Klezmer Workshop / Oy Vey!, 1997). They have also released Sruli and Lisa's Klezmer Dance party, 2002. Tel: 914-576-0936 / fax: 914-235-4064. Web: www.sruliandlisa.com. E-mail Sruli and Lisa. (Lisa Mayer)

Stark & Frejlach. We simply love klezmer music! We are from Linz (Austria)—the European capital of culture 2009. Web: www.kass.at/klezmer/Stark+Frejlach.html. E-mail Stark & Frejlach. (Peter Kass)

Steel City Klezmorim has been performing around Pittsburgh for the last 7 years. In addition to playing weddings, b-mitzvahs, upshorns and pot-lucks, they've been increasingly busy performing concerts and festivals, most recently opening for Brave Old World. Gantze macher Henry Shapiro is also known as the "local king of swing" and performed this past summer at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Web: http://henryshapiro.com/klezmer.htm. Tel: 412-242-8147. E-mail Steel City Klezmorim. (Henry Shapiro)

Stempenyu's Dream, based in Cleveland, OH, is dedicated to performing compositions by Steven Greenman. The ensemble's first CD, "Stempenyu's Dream", was released in 2004. E-mail Steven Greenman. (Steven Greenman)

The dynamic Strauss/Warschauer Duo offers a panoramic experience of Eastern European Jewish music, song and culture through virtuoso, accessible, interactive concert performances and grass roots educational programs. Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer are two of the most beloved performers and teachers in the international klezmer and Yiddish music scene. Strauss and Warschauer's performances are an integrated and intimate blend of songs, translations and instrumental music—grounded in tradition, yet thoroughly contemporary. They draw from klezmer, Yiddish, Hasidic and liturgical music and culture, adding their own original compositions and song settings. As they sing and play in shifting combinations of violin, guitar, mandolin and accordion, they create a dynamic atmosphere with an exceptional range of feeling—from delicate and refined to exuberant and foot-stomping. They were both long-time members of the Klezmer Conservatory Band, and have performed with violinist Itzhak Perlman on film and in concert. As the Strauss/Warschauer Duo, they have performed to overwhelming acclaim in such diverse venues as the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Jewish Culture Festival in Cracow, the Folksbiene Yiddish Theater in New York City, and the Art of Yiddish in Los Angeles with Theodore Bikel. They lead workshops and classes throughout North America and Europe, are on the faculty of KlezKamp, KlezKanada and KlezFest at the University of London, and are curators of the Columbia University Series on Klezmer Music and Yiddish Song. Web: www.klezmerduo.com. E-mail the Strauss-Warschauer Duo. (Jeff Warschauer)

Sukke, the European Klezmer Band. Featuring Merlin Shepherd (Great Britain) on clarinet, Sanne Moericke (The Netherlands) on accordion, and Heiko Lehmann (Germany) on bass and vocals. Yiddish instrumental music and original songs with lyrics by Michael Wex. Additional instruments: guitar, mandola. Web: www.sukke.de. First album, Introducing Sukke, 2004. E-mail Sukke. (Heiko Lehmann)

Alicia Svigals' Klezmer Fiddle Party Band, New York, New England. Violinist Alicia Svigals, a founder of the Klezmatics and the world's leading klezmer fiddler, now fronts the world's greatest wedding and bar/bat mitzvah band, Klezmer by Alicia Svigals, LLC. Her band plays klezmer, simcha dancing music, Israeli music, and high-energy rock, jazz, R& B; dance leaders, djs, mcs etc. also available. Alicia has played with and written for violinist Itzhak Perlman, the Kronos Quartet, playwrights Tony Kushner and Eve Ensler, the late poet Allen Ginsburg, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, singer/songwriter Debbie Friedman, Hasidic superstars Avraham Fried and Lipa Shmelzer, and many others. She has appeared on David Letterman, MTV, Good Morning America, PBS' Great Performances, on NPR's Prairie Home Companion, Weekend Edition and New Sounds, and on the soundtrack for the L-Word. Tel: 1 877 KLEZMER. Web: www.aliciasvigals.com. E-mail Alicia Svigals. (Alicia Svigals)

The Sway Machinery: Hidden Melodies of the Jews of New York City. Longtime collaborators Jeremiah Lockwood (Balkan Beat Box, Carolina Slim) and Tomer Tzur (Beat the Donkey, Pharaoh's Daughter) have teamed up with friends from Antibalas Stuart Bogie, Colin Stetson and Jordan McLean to present an audacious descent into the depths of Jewish soul music. Calling upon the sounds of Malian guitars, Saharan beats, Afro-pop horns and the BLUES, The Sway Machinery goes knocking at the gates of prayer with muscles swollen and eyes clenched. Tel: (718) 267-0386. Web: www.swaymachinery.com, www.myspace.com/theswaymachinery. E-mail Sway Machinery. (Jeremiah Lockwood)