People know that klezmer music originated in Eastern Europe. But many don’t know that it draws from many traditions—including military marches and Hasidic nigunim (e.g., “hava nagila”)—and that the lines between the various traditions are surprisingly fluid. The new klezmer trio, T-Klez, will give you a taste of several of these sources, sampling an array of beautiful traditional and new melodies ranging from Second Avenue Yiddish theater to liturgical tunes, with a couple of modern Moldovan klezmer selections thrown in for good measure.
T-Klez will be performing at the Friends of the Teaneck Public Library’s Annual Gala, to be held on Sunday, May 1 beginning at 2 p.m.
T-Klez comprises David Licht on percussion, Psachya Septimus on accordion and Dobe (Dena) Ressler on clarinet. Licht is a founding member of the Klezmatics and also a member of the legendary groups Shockabilly and Bongwater. He has performed with Ned Rothenberg, John Zorn, Tom Cora and many other famed klezmorim. A father, painter and plasterer, Licht’s singular and expressive drumming is featured on Hot Pstromi’s new recording “Borsht with Bread, Brothers.”
Septimus attended Brooklyn College School of Music and has been an integral part of the NYC hassidic music scene for the past 30 years. He has performed with acts as diverse as Avrohom Fried, Eitan Katz, Diaspora Yeshiva Band, Yehuda Green, Shloime Dachs, The Yitzchak Halevi Band and Soulfarm. His resume includes klezmer music collaborations and he has appeared on recordings including the Kleztraphobix, Soulfarm and Yaakov Shwekey. His own solo album, “Shattered Glass,” was released in 2012.
Ressler has taught at KlezKamp, and New England Conservatory’s summer Klezmer Institute and has presented a seminar on klezmer history. She has played with world-class klezmorim like Michael Alpert, Frank London and her first teacher, Hankus Netsky, and appears on the CD by Di Bostoner Klezmer, “Nakhes Fun Klezmer.” She occasionally reviews Yiddish music in both English and Yiddish.
The concert is free and all are welcome. The library is located at 840 Teaneck Road in Teaneck.
