Performers' Index B
Baltimore Tummlers Klezmer Band
"Four-piece Klezmer ensemble from Baltimore, evokes the spirit of old world Klezmer music with an American accent." Website includes some biographical information and mp3s and real audio files from their first album "Shpiel, Klezmer!".
http://artists1.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/Baltimore_Tummelers_Klezmer_Band,_The/
Rami Bar-Niv
An Israeli concert pianist now living in NY and specializing in classical music and conducting, Rami Bar-Niv has also produced an album of Jewish/Israeli standard songs. The album, called "Rami's Jewish/Israeli Songs," features elaborate, lush older-styled arrangements. Mr. Bar-Niv has recorded 17 albums. Clips can be heard in various formats on the website.He can be reached directly at: bar-niv@zahav.net.il for more information about his published music.
http://artists.mp3s.com/info/14/rami_barniv_concert_pianist.html
Beat'achon
A Jewish A Cappella singing group of six men. The group tours. No upcoming performance information is yet available on the website, but there is contact information.
http://beatachon.com/about.html
Yerachmiel Begun and the Miami Boys Choir
This website features information about current albums, a clearly arranged listing of concert schedules, music samples and enthusiasm in a visual site.
http://www.ybandmbc.com
Jack Beilan & Friends
Jack Beilen & Friends, from Los Angeles, opened up a new website to promote the new CD From the Heart of a Jewish Soul which features 21 musicians, all with extensive professional experience in the pop music world (such as members working with various popular artists James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart or Neville Brothers). The group is also available for selected appropriate synagogue and spiritual events and performances. They performed on December 3, 2000, at the Theatre For The Performing Arts at California State University at Northridge. The music is aimed at Reform congregations and those welcoming contemporary-influenced Jewish spiritual music. Jack Beilan has been Musical Director for Valley Outreach Synagogue, a Reform Jewish congregation in Los Angeles.
http://www.serenitysong.com/
Raizie Benguigui
Raizie is a singer who has fused traditional lyrics with modern rhythms, singing in four languages (English, Hebrew, French and Spanish). Raizie has
performed for women audiences in Venezuela, Israel and Canada and has produced a CD for Jewish women.
http://www.raizie.com/
Yuval Ben-Ozer
Israeli conductor. Graduated the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem and the Music School of the Indiana University. Chorus master in operatic productions of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under the batons of Zubin Mehta, James Levine, Daniel Barenboim and Kurt Masur. Works with professional choirs such as the Philharmonia Singers Choir and the New Vocal Ensemble. Won first prizes in international choirs' contests - such as Malta (1998), Spain (2000) and Belgium (2001). With the Ensemble he was also invited to participate in the choir festival in Korea during the 2002 Mondial and to perform in Sardinia in 2003. Ben-Ozer is also the music director of the international choir festival "The Zimria". Conducts the Kibbutz Artzi Choir.
Bruce Benson
American composer and performer. Creates original melodies for traditional Hebrew texts with some English.Benson specializes in new age Jewish music. Often works with Cantor Richard Silverman. Has composed music for the CD The Jazz Service with Kenny G that has elements of jazz and rock for a Reform Friday night service. Lots of synthesizers and keyboard.
www.brucebenson.com
David Berkeley
American singer songerwriter, with a voice compared by The New York Times as "lustrous, melancholy voice with shades of Tim Buckley and Nick Drake." Berkeley is a Harvard University graduate. Hillary Meister wrote in the Atlanta Jewish Times on January 2, 2004, that Berkeley reports being influenced by synagogue services, and that in particular," a cantor with a beautiful voice "kept me going to synagogue" while growing up in New Jersey" He has several CDs, including Live from the Fez (2005), After the Wrecking Ships (2004), The Confluence (2002). The Confluence, was reviewed in
Billboard magazine and Rollingstone which called him
a "Sixties-esque troubadour with songs to swoon by and a voice sweeter than
incense and peppermints." Berkeley reported to Meister that the music coming out of silent prayer was always the most
powerful for him. "I think the whole value that I place on expression for a connection and for
healing is at least consistent with Judaism if not inspired by it." he said in the interview.
"Once you're exposed to that kind of genre you look for people who say something that makes an emotional impact that requires something of the listener; not just candy," he said. I'm always absorbing the world around me whether it's the music, newspaper or poetry."
Berkeley, who spends most of his time writing and playing music, has performed with Shawn Mullins, Ben Folds and Marshall Crenshaw and is currently on the road promoting his new release. His website includes photos, clips and a tour schedule.
http://www.davidberkeley.com/index.html
Berkeley Klezmer Group
Formed in the fall of 1996 by students of the University of California at Berkeley. They perform in the Bay area.
http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/students/scott/musproj/klez.html
Beyond the Pale
Bios, Reviews, Sound Samples, Pictures, Schedule are all featured on the website.
"Since their formation in 1998, Toronto's Beyond the Pale has emerged as one
of the most exciting ensembles in the Canadian klezmer, folk, and world
music scenes. Rooted firmly in the spirit and forms of klezmer music, the
group flirts with elements of other eastern-European folk styles (Romanian,
Roma, Balkan) as well as modern and North American styles (bluegrass,
reggae, funk) to forge a unique contemporary sound. Known both for inventive
arrangements of traditional material and for compelling original
compositions, their music has been described as "post-modern klezmer in all
the best senses" (KlezmerShack-- www.klezmershack.com) and "an altogether original mix"
(Victoria Times-Colonist). The band performs at music festivals, concert theatres, community and
private events, and has toured across Canada and parts of the United States.
Their debut CD "Routes" (2001, Borealis Records) received great reviews
and was nominated by the Canadian Independent MusicAwards for World Album of the Year, 2001.
The group features Eric Stein (mandolin, cimbalom), Martin van de Ven (clarinet), Bogdan Djukic (violin),
Milos Popovic (accordion), and Bret Higgins (bass). They are frequently
joined by guest vocalists.
http://www.beyondthepale.net/
Theodore Bikel
Theodore Bikel: actor, singer and political activist.
Known for his portrayals of Tevye the Milkman in more than 2000 performances of Fiddler on the Roof. Bikel is an advocate of Yiddish folk song. Bikel has been active in organizations dealing with the arts, theatre, and the intersection with government, business and regulation. He has written an autobiography called Theo: The Autobiography of Theodore Bikel. His website includes biographical sketches, lecture topics, speeches, sound clips and a schedule.
http://www.bikel.com
Binyomin Ginzberg Trio
Binyomin Ginzberg has coined a new word to define his Jewish music: "Yeshivish". It defines one of the musical styles he performs with his small ensemble in New York. The website is of his local New York wedding band. They play "Yeshivish, Chassidic, Israeli, Klezmer, and Contemporary Jewish music as well as Jazz and Classical music." Contact information provided.
http://www.jewishmusician.com/index.html
Mark Bloom
A Minnesota musician has mounted a website about his programs, recordings and band. Sample reviews are offered as references about the quality of his work.
http://www.markbloom.com/
Di Bostoner Klezmer
di bostoner klezmer is a trio of talented musicians which plays a full range of klezmer, traditional Jewish, Hasidic and Israeli music - with swing on the side. Public concerts (from Chamber of Commerce to library to theater), simkhes and holiday celebrations, and specialized venues (nursing homes, kids' camps) round out our resume. For more information, visit www.yiddishmusic.com, contact Dena (dobe) Ressler at 781-643-1957, or email us at: klezmer@yiddishmusic.com. Di Bostoner Klezmer's CD is expected during the spring of 2004.
Mike Boxer
Pianist/singer/songwriter and public school music teacher, Mike Boxer released Erev Chaim as a way to introduce Jewish music to teens not familiar with any. Boxer hopes that results in some Jewish youth who emerge more enthusiastic about the music of their faith. This "independently marketed concept album
brings the face of cutting-edge mainstream pop to today's Jewish music." The track list contains -- heimish, liturgical-oriented classics like Shalom Aleichem, Bilvavi, and Acheinu -- but
a good portion of the music features sounds typically from the forefront of modern pop, rock and R& B. Seven songs are revamped covers; seven are Boxer's own original material. Boxer, who grew up in Spring Valley, NY and attended Binghamton University where he served as music director of Kashkeshet, a collegiate Jewish a cappella group,-- has perfect pitch and plays a myriad of instruments. He went on to work for Open Studios in Vestal, NY, and then started his own company, Halfway Coherent Productions. He also sings with a group Six13 a cappella group and teaches middle school in NYC.
http://www.mikeboxer.com/
Brandeis-Bardin Klezmer Ensemble
This loosely configured ensemble, established in 1993 under the auspices of the Brandeis-Bardin Institute, is currently based in Hollywood and Beverly Hills, California. The group is made up of professional and recording studio musicians. They perform extensively in the area and on television.
http://members.aol.com/bbiklezmer/index.htm
Brass Hebraica
Brass Hebraica is a brass quintet devoted to Jewish Music. Members of the group reside in Connecticut, but the group is available for performances anywhere. Five very accomplished musicians arrange and perform Judaica brass quintet using eclectic styles. Brass Hebraica is not to be confused with Klezmer. The instrumentation includes: 2 trumpets, french horn, tuba and trombone. For further information contact: Gary Knepler, Director at
120 Harvester Road in Monroe, CT 06468 (203-268-6040) or by email.
gadmoshe@aol.com
Brave Old World
Homepage of the Brave Old World klezmer band, this site includes both an English and German version, with complete discography, biography, contact information, tour dates and accessible sound samples. (One of my favorite groups!)
http://braveoldworld.com/
David Broza
Commercial site promoting the music of David Broza, popular Israeli rock star. Includes a biography and discography, quotes from critics and some sound samples.
http://Broza.com/
Marcelo Bruckman, Cantor
The cantor of the Comunidad Israelita del Uruguay has a webpage dedicated to his teachers and a vitae. In Spanish and English. He includes audio clips of cantor and choir with enjoyable melodies and arrangements.
http://www.arroba.nu/jazan/
Budapester Klezmer Band
The first Jewish band founded in Hungary since the Holocaust, the Budapester Klezmer band was started in 1990 by Ferenc Javori. The tremendous goal they set for themselves is the reclamation of Jewish musical traditions in Hungary. The group has participated in international music festivals and has 3 CDs, one published by Harmonia Mundi.
http://www.datanet.hu/klezmer/
Budowitz Sacred and Secular
Budowitz is an ensemble that plays nineteenth century klezmer music on original instruments. The musicians in this group provide a sound steeped both in musicological and historical knowledge as well as the subtlety and coloration described by the reviewers as "pure emotion." Budowitz is staffed by leading lights in the klezmer world including Joshua Horowitz and Merlin Shepherd. Of special note is an interview with Budowitz as well as a history of klezmer.
http://members.styria.com/budowitz/