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 New Klezmer Quintet combines the elements of both Klezmer and Jazz in order to captivate the attention of the entire audience. We educate the audience on the music's authenticity by including tidbits of music history in the program, creating an atmosphere of fun and humor through witty commentary and interaction with the audience. Throwing Jazz into the mix allows the audience to experience the similarities between European Klezmer and American Jazz as they dance in the aisles! 

The audience's experience is very important to the band. We want everyone to have a really great time -an experience they will not forget- one that will make your event not only memorable but hugely successful. 

How the New Klezmer Quintet 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 their own right. It all began in 2001 when this group 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 energy so much; they decided to form a band. Brian Choper, an already experienced manager of several other successful music groups and this band's drummer, became the band leader 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, all the while rehearsing 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, including specific moments within each tune for band members to be featured. The idea that no one instrument would be dominant during any given number unless the tune was specifically arranged to feature that instrument was a further innovation from the band. 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. Their improvisation often leads to give and take between the soloists as they contribute to the playfulness of the music. Each performance is a separate experience tailored to the occasion. The ensemble chooses the appropriate style and repertoire, depending on the atmosphere of the event, experimenting with new arrangements, to provide something different with each show. This depth of repertoire, flexibility and rare individual artistry in each performance will be a guaranteed treat for the ears and feet of the audience. 

The group always plays with improvisation and spontaneity – their musical “banter” is usually more important than restricting themselves to an actual formal arrangement.  Klezmer, Israeli, Ladino, Latin and Jazz are almost always mixed into the program during each performance, no matter where the band plays. 

The New Klezmer Quintet is a project, not just an ensemble. This group of musicians have come together to play good music while raising the creativity and energy of the show to a new level. It is good, clean fun.

 

Concerts & Fundraisers

We combine the elements of both Klezmer and Jazz in order to captivate the audience on the music by including tidbits of music history in the program, creating an atmosphere of fun and humor through our witty commentary and interaction with the audience. By throwing Jazz into the mix, the audience can experience the similarities between European Klezmer and American Jazz as they dance in the aisles!

We want everyone to have a really great time - an experience they will not forget - one that will make your event not only memorable but wildly successful.