The Klezmatics, a New York-based group finding their roots in Jewish klezmer music, will perform at Denison University at 8 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 15) in Swasey Chapel. The program, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Lilly Artist Series at Denison.

The Klezmatics play contemporary Jewish roots music, expressing their spiritual heritage and recreating klezmer in arrangements and compositions that combine Jewish identity and mysticism with a postmodern aesthetic. Klezmer music starts from the traditional dance rhythms and sensual sounds of Eastern European wedding music and then is transformed by its present-day players with new high-spirited rhythms and improvisations reminiscent of New Orleans jazz. It is now heard around the world in a colorful array of styles and formats.

Since their founding in New York City's East Village in 1986, the Klezmatics have celebrated the ecstatic nature of Yiddish music with works that are by turns wild, spiritual, provocative, reflective, and danceable. They will play a 20th anniversary concert on March 5 at New York City's Town Hall.

The Klezmatics have performed such venues as PBS Great Performances with Itzhak Perlman, Late Night With David Letterman, CBS Nightwatch, Fox After Breakfast, the BBC's Rhythms of the World, and MTV News. A highlight of their touring was a concert appearance at Berlin's historic New Synagogue, which was reproduced on television in both Europe and Israel. The Klezmatics' seventh album,Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukawas released in 2004. Current members include: Frank London (trumpet/composer), David Licht (drums), Paul Morrisset (bass/tsimbl), Lorin Sklamberg (voice/accordion), Matt Darriau (wind instruments/composer), and Lisa Gutkin (violin).

The Lilly Artist Series, a collaboration of the Denison department of music and Denison's Lilly Grant Committee, features musical artists from many different backgrounds and cultural traditions. The series presents artists whose life's work reflects a passionate commitment to their musical art and the culture out of which that music grows.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Concert by The Klezmatics; 8 p.m., Wednesday (Feb. 15), Swasey Chapel (200 Chapel Road). Free and open to the public. Contact 740-587-5727 to confirm information.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575