CELEBRATE WITH US THE KLEZMATICS 40TH ANNIVERSARY

The Klezmatics: Transforming Klezmer, Redefining Boundaries

The Klezmatics are Grammy-winning klezmer superstars who revolutionized Yiddish music. Emerging from New York City’s East Village in 1986, they infused Eastern European Jewish roots with bold contemporary themes like human rights and anti-fundamentalism. Their eclectic sound blends Latin stomps, jazz riffs, and rhythms from the Balkans, Middle East, Africa, and America.
For nearly 40 years, The Klezmatics have reimagined klezmer, inspiring generations of musicians. Their achievements include 13 acclaimed recordings, tours across five continents, and collaborations with artists like Itzhak Perlman, Tony Kushner, Chava Alberstein, and Arlo Guthrie. They are the only klezmer band to win a Grammy, earning the 2006 award for Wonder Wheel: Lyrics by Woody Guthrie.

Their music has enriched theater, dance, film, and television, appearing in A Dybbuk, Pilobolus Dance Theatre’s Davenen, and PBS’s Great Performances. They’ve reached millions through shows like Late Night with David Letterman, NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion, and HBO’s Sex and the City.
The Klezmatics have performed in 20+ countries at venues and festivals like Carnegie Hall, WOMAD, Colours of Ostrava, and Yiddish Summer Weimar. Honors include the German Critics Award, New York Jewish Music Award, a GLAMA, and multiple Billboard World Music chart-toppers.
Through their vibrant, danceable music, The Klezmatics transcend labels, redefining Jewish culture and leaving a lasting mark on global music.

MEMBERS

Richie Barshay

percussion
A dynamic percussionist known for his work with the Herbie Hancock Quartet, has been hailed as "a major rhythm voice on the rise" and continues to perform, record, and lead outreach projects worldwide.
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Matt Darriau

kaval, clarinet, saxophone
Matt Darriau, a multi-instrumentalist and "musical polyglot," has infused the Klezmatics' sound with jazz, Balkan, and Celtic influences since 1995, while also leading his own genre-blending projects and earning recognition as a key innovator in modern jazz.
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Lisa Gutkin

violin, vocals
Lisa Gutkin, a versatile violinist and composer, brought her diverse musical background—ranging from classical and Irish folk to bluegrass and rock—to the Klezmatics, where she became a key creative force, even earning Pete Seeger's praise for her songwriting.
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Frank London

trumpet, keyboards
Trumpeter and composer Frank London, co-founder of the Klezmatics, has been a driving force in contemporary Jewish music, contributing to hundreds of recordings and projects that blend klezmer, jazz, and world music with bold innovation.
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Paul Morrissett

bass, tsimbl
A longtime Klezmatics member and versatile multi-instrumentalist, blends his love for Eastern European and Scandinavian folk traditions with his passion for dance music, bringing a deep rhythmic energy to the band's sound.
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Lorin Sklamberg

lead vocals, accordion, guitar, piano
Co-founder and lead singer of the Klezmatics, is renowned for his transcendent and emotionally powerful voice, which has shaped contemporary klezmer music while also influencing Jewish spiritual and folk traditions worldwide.
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AN EVENING WITH THE KLEZMATICS

Sunday, May 4, 2025
City Winery Philadelphia
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tickets
AN EVENING WITH THE KLEZMATICS

Wednesday, May 28, 2025
City Winery Chicago
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tickets
AN EVENING WITH THE KLEZMATICS

Tuesday, July 8, 2025
City Winery New York City
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Yidstock 2025: the Festival of New Yiddish Music

Thursday, July 10, 2025
Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, MA

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"The Man in a Hat"

Live in Sony Hall, NYC 2025

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FRANK LONDON OF THE KLEZMATICS - ARTIST OF THE YEAR

AWARDS
GlobalFEST celebrates Frank London as the Artist of the Year

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ARTICLE ABOUT FRANK LONDON & THE KLEZMATICS

PRESS
Jewish Telegraphic Agency recent article

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JEWS WITH HORNS

PRESS
Tablet article about The Klezmatics approach 40th anniversary

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Woody Guthrie’s Happier Joyous Hanukkah

Release New Holiday EP

Discover album
THE KLEZMATICS HANUKKAH TOUR

USA TOUR
he Klezmatics hit the road for their traditional Hanukkah tour

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UPCOMING EVENTS

The Klezmatics are globally-renowned world music superstars — and the only klezmer band to win a Grammy award. The Klezmatics emerged out of the vibrant cultural scene of New York City’s East Village in 1986 with klezmer steeped in Eastern European Jewish tradition and spirituality, while incorporating contemporary themes such as human rights and anti-fundamentalism and eclectic musical influences including Arab, African, Latin and Balkan rhythms, jazz and punk. In the course of nearly forty years and thirteen albums, they have stubbornly continued making music that is wild, mystical, provocative, reflective and ecstatically danceable.

2025