As a leading figure in world music, clarinetist David Krakauer has redefined klezmer through his innovative recordings and passionate stage performances. With his band Klezmer Madness!, Krakauer has forged alliances with a multitude of musical genres including jazz, rock, funk and most recently hip-hop. The band’s newest release entitled Bubbemeises: Lies My Gramma Told Me, marks the first full collaboration between Krakauer and hip-hop artist Socalled. Krakauer cites this CD as a whole new chapter in his life as a composer, a musician and a producer. It is a partnering that ushers these two eclectic and influential musicians on to the world dance music stage. “Klezmer has always been dance music, and I see this collaboration with Socalled as a revamped continuation of that,†says Krakauer. With a powerful line up of world-class musicians, including free-spirited bassist Nicki Parrott, cutting-edge jazz guitarist Sheryl Bailey, masterful accordionist Will Holshouser, soulful drummer Michael Sarin, and hip-hop beat architect Socalled, Krakauer’s compositions are infused with a hard edge and a spirited passion. His music easily finds its home in the tumultuous times of the twenty-first century and speaks simultaneously to those who know klezmer from its traditional roots, to the dance club frequenters and world music enthusiasts of today. This is definitely not your gramma’s klezmer, unless gramma likes remixed Hasidic chant, klezmer tributes to James Brown, and an in-your-face raving battle for reinvented Jewish identity.
“Krakauer’s Klezmer Madness! is the leading klezmer band working today. He has the ability to bridge traditional music with modern sound…music from your great-grandparents getting on the boat to your kid scratching your favorite LPs in the basement.â€
—Mark Corroto, AllAboutJazz.com
"...Krakauer sounds like somebody who could beat you up without laying a finger on you, just by pointing his clarinet in your direction."
—John DeFore, San Antonio Current
"There is arguably no one today playing klezmer–or any music, for that matter–that is at once as deeply rooted in tradition while at the same time as utterly innovative and in-the-moment as David Krakauer."
—Seth Rogovy (author of The Essential Klezmer), The Berkshire Eagle
For all the latest news and upcoming concerts, visit DavidKrakauer.com .
Exclusive Worldwide Management & US Bookings:
Sue Bernstein, Bernstein Artists, Inc.
website: BernsArts.com
