As the name implies, we're not your typical Klezmer band. The New Klezmer Quintet is a concert band that melds traditional Klezmer music with Israeli folk songs, Ladino music, American jazz, Latin and Rock & Roll.

Do you like Klezmer? Do you like Israeli music, Jazz, Rock & Roll, Latin and Ladino? Do you like to dance? The New Klezmer Quintet is an eclectic band that combines all of these elements.

About the Band

The way the New Klezmer Quintet initially came to be is an essential part of why they play the way they do. Each member of the band is an accomplished, seasoned and successful musician in his own right. It all began in 2001 when this group of musicians came together to jam at the Lansing Michigan Jazz Festival as independent musicians with their own bands. As they performed together, they liked the music, the sound and the groove so much, they decided to form a band. Brian Choper, already experienced as manager of several other successful music groups and this band's drummer, became manager of what was soon to be called the New Klezmer Quintet.

Over the next year or so, the band played various concerts and private affairs, while working behind the scenes to fine-tune their distinctive sound as a concert ensemble. The talent of the band was clear; the question was how to take advantage of it. While they worked with Israeli, Klezmer, Jazz, Latin and Ladino music, they wanted to experiment and compose their own repertoire, to provide specific moments within each tune for each member of the group to be featured. The idea was that no one instrument would be dominant during any given number unless the tune was to be specifically arranged to feature that instrument. As they experimented, they discovered the characteristics that became the basis for their unique sound as well as their chemistry as a band.

The band’s performance style has become one of its trademarks; the ensemble chooses the appropriate style and repertoire, depending on the occasion of the performance, experimenting with new arrangements, trying to provide something different with each show. In most instances during a given tune, each musician will take a turn soloing the melody, the improv often leading to a back and fourth between soloists as they demonstrate their playfulness with the music.

The group always plays with improvisation and spontaneity – the banter usually more important than the actual formal arrangement. Klezmer, Israeli, Ladino, Latin and Jazz is almost always mixed into the repertoire during each performance, no matter where the band plays.

So, with all the arranging and improvisation put into the music, for the members, this band is a project, not just an ensemble. Basically, you have a group of musicians who have come together to play good music while taking the creativity and the show to a new level. Its good, clean fun.