Grammy-winning Klezmatics perform in Helena and Whitefish

Published: March 10, 2010

The world-renowned, Grammy-winning superstars of the klezmer world visit Whitefish March 20 and Helena March 21 this month.

The Klezmatics emerged out of the vibrant cultural scene of New York City’s East Village in 1986 with a sound steeped in Eastern European Jewish tradition and spirituality, while incorporating contemporary themes such as human rights and anti-fundamentalism and eclectic musical influences including Arab, African, Latin and Balkan rhythms, jazz and punk.

In the course of over 20 years and nine albums they have stubbornly continued making music that is wild, mystical, provocative, reflective and ecstatically danceable. Their recording Wonder Wheel, which gives a klezmer twist to Woody Guthrie lyrics, won a 2006 Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album.

“The Klezmer revival of the 1980s was still young when the Klezmatics exploded onto the scene, shaking up Eastern European Jewish folk with jazz and world-music influences. Seventeen years later, it’s impossible to imagine the genre without them … their music remains as deeply compassionate as it is invigorating, as accessible as it is virtuosic.” (Time Out New York).

Whitefish: 7:30 p.m. March 20 at the O’Shaughnessy Center (862-5371 or www.whitefishtheatreco.org)

Helena: 7:30 p.m. March 21 at the Myrna Loy Center (443-0287 or http://www.myrnaloycenter.com)