Click here to go back to the list of musical styles
Klezmer music is traditional Jewish music. It originated in Eastern Europe in the 19th century where musicians known as klezmorim would play for weddings and other celebrations. Bands would consist of instruments such as clarinet, violin, accordion, flute and double bass.
A Polish klezmer band in the early 1900s
In the late 19th and early 20th century many Jewish people emigrated to New York. Musicians were influenced by American jazz and the traditional dance music evolved into what we know today as Klezmer. Although the clarinet is the most common lead instrument in klezmer, the saxophone also features in some great bands including the Epstein Brothers and the Musiker Brothers. Here’s a clip of the Epstain brothers playing the classic klezmer tune “Mayn Stetele Belz” (My little town of Belz):
Other famous bands include: The Klezmer Conservatory Band, The Klezmatics, Brave Old World and The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. Check out these youtube videos of some great klezmer musicians performing: