the KlezmerShack

This is a very rare public performance by one of the most wonderful klezmer violinists out there. If you're in the area, it's worth stopping by!

You're invited!

Sandra Layman will be performing with the Seattle Jewish Chorale and Kesselgarden at a free event on Sunday afternoon, November 29, between 2:00 and 5:00 pm, Barnes and Noble bookstore at University Village, NE Seattle.

It's a "pre-Hanukkah" event, with beautiful choral singing (including a lovely song for women's voices with violin), interludes of rousing klezmer music, and Hanukkah sing-alongs. Drop by, and bring the kids!

It's finally available -- at a special low price for the holiday gift-giving season -- the downloadable (MP3) version of my CD, "Little Blackbird"! Preview and buy it at: Little Blackbird

Posted by Ari Davidow at 3:38 PM | Permalink

I try not to let visitors see my office, where the piles of CDs awaiting review stun me. But, today is Thanksgiving. We've set the table, Judy is working on some pies with a niece, and it's time for me to express holiday feelings by catching up with a few of the recordings that have been on my "this is wonderful. spread the word." list for a while. Foremost among these is this stunning 2005 recording by Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer: "Rejoicing: Yiddish Songs & Klezmer Music." If you do not have a copy, you will want one now, and you'll probably want to get copies as Hanukkah gifts. In that case, don't let me stop you from ignoring my review and ordering directly from cdbaby.com. I'll encapsulate what I said in a few words: "Never miss a chance to hear Strauss-Warschauer Duo perform. Never be without their CD. It's as important as chicken soup."

Posted by Ari Davidow at 1:05 PM | Permalink

From the Jewish-Music mailing list on Nov 17, 2009. Additional information on the Jewish Music Web Center:

I just received the sad news that fellow collector and lover of Chazzonus Barry (Berel) Serota has passed away. Although I never met him in person, I had the privilege of talking with Barry on the phone several times. The last time I talked to him on the phone, was at the basement of Chazzan Noah Schall during my stay in the U.S. in August.

Barry Serota did very much to preserve the beautiful art of Chazzonus and he leaves behind a great legacy. He published many rare recordings on the Musique Internationale label and his extreme knowledge of Chazzonus and Chazzonim will forever be missed. Fortunately some of his knowledge was passed on to others - I am among one of those privileged persons - and I hope the great gap he leaves behind will be filled by other collectors (I think no single person can replace him). Barry made Aliyah just a few months ago (maybe he saw things coming) and hopefully his short life in Eretz Yisroel was a happy one. I hope the enormous collection he leaves behind will fall into good hands, so it will be preserved for generations to come. The man did a great job for Chazzonus and I'm forever thankful for all he did. My thoughts go out to his family and loved ones. I hope they'll find the strength to deal with his untimely death. May he rest in peace.

It is a sad day in the world of Chazzonus...

Jeffrey P. Lieuwen

Posted by Ari Davidow at 7:01 PM | Permalink

25th Anniversary
A Fertl Yurhundert KlezKamp
KlezKamp: The Yiddish Folk Arts Program
December 23-29, 2009/5770
< ahref="http://www.livingtraditions.org">www.livingtraditions.org

This is to announce the opening of registration for A Fertl Yurhundert KlezKamp, our 25th anniversary program to be held at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa from December 23–29. This year's program features a faculty of over 45 of the world's greatest exponents of traditional and contemporary Yiddish culture.

We invite you to follow us on Facebook and get regular updates about our upcoming event. For more information about the program register online at our KlezKamp website. We look forward to seeing you this coming December at KlezKamp 25.

Henry Sapoznik

Posted by Ari Davidow at 6:38 PM | Permalink