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 over twenty years and nine albums they have stubbornly continued making music that is wild, mystical, provocative, reflective and ecstatically danceable.

NEWS

• The Klezmatics are featured in a new PBS special TV program — Lights: Celebrate Hanukkah Live In Concert airing in December 2008.
• Wonder Wheel has won the 2006 GRAMMY Award as the Best Contemporary World Music Album!
• Hear the music from Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukkah in concert on NPR’s "All Songs Considered" — Listen
• The Klezmatics on NPR’s “All Songs Considered” along with Bob Dylan. — Listen
• NPR “World Cafe Live“ session with Nora Guthrie — Listen

VIDEO

“Shnirele Perele” (Little String, Little Pearl), live in Berlin

 

• “The Klezmatics are wonderful... ‘Gonna get Through This World’ is a piece of genius.”
  — Pete Seeger
• “A” — Robert Christgau,
  Village Voice, New York
• “***** (5 out of 5) Another amazing set ... (ranging) from quietly poignant to rollicking and infectious. — Montreal Gazette
• “a complete joy... Guthrie’s lyrics are transformed from dust-gathers to living, breathing, vital pieces of music ... Woody’s Jewish in-laws would certainly have been proud.”
  — All Music Guide
• “Skips merrily out of the speakers and becomes the life of the party.”
  — Chicago Sun Times
• “The music is as lively as the words.”
  — New Jersey Star Ledger