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The following is an article that appeared in the print edition of
Washington Jewish Week on September 20, 2007, page 28, and in the online edition on September 29, 2007
Klezmer and much more
Cantor Tasat, New Klezmer Quintet in concert
by Aaron Leibel, Arts Editor
Kol isha brought them together. Although they previously had played together, Temple Shalo m 's Cantor Ramon Tasat and Brian Choper performed with each in the context of Choper 's Kol Haruach klezmer band for the first time last January. The bridegroom at the wedding at which the band was slated to play was an Orthodox Jew, and the band needed a quick switch in performers.
"We couldn't use our female performer " because Orthodox men are not allowed to hear women sing publicly, says Choper, 42, of College Park, referring to the prohibition of kol isha, literally voice of a woman. "So, I called Ramon [Tasat] and, although he hadn't heard the band play, he agreed to perform."
Tasat says he was "surprised how well we jelled."
By evening's end, both parties wanted to continue the relationship.
"One of the advantages of the group is that each member is a full musician in his own right." Tasat says. "They have played klezmer music associated with Eastern Europe, but also have played classical and a variety of music from jazz to tango."
"What excited me about the group is that it is a klezmer group but much more. It has the potential to perform a number of rhythms and styles very well."
Tasat and the group will appear in their first concert at Mishkan Torah Synagogue in Greenbelt on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. — sort of. Tasat will be guest artist, but he'll be performing with Kol Haruach 's alter ego, the New Klezmer Quintet.
The group's agent had explained that the name Kol Haruach was fine as a moniker for a party band, but with that name, "the masses won't understand what you do." says Choper. "In 2007, you need a name in English, and those who want a band for concerts don't want a band associated with parties and weddings. It’s an issue of marketing and identity."
So, for weddings and parties, it'll be Kol Haruach; for concerts, it will morph into the New Klezmer Quintet.
Tasat and the quintet — Choper on drums; Ephriam Wolfolk, bass; Harry Appleman, keyboard; Daniel Rozas, clarinet; Vladimir Gamarnik, violin; — also have two concerts set for December at the Music Center at Strathmore, but both are sold out. This month's concert will provide an additional opportunity to hear their sound.
The concert will include Tasat 's arrangements of Sephardic music in Ladino; Israeli music from the 1970s and '80s; and Middle Eastern music. He mentions two Israeli songs, Naomi Shemer's Al Kol and Shiru shir amen, and a Sephardic version of Avraharn Avinu as being on the program.
Other songs that will be heard include a Russian tango heard called Rina, Two Guitars and Freilach Melodies.
The concert will feature much improvisation — "Ramon may start a song as a ballad and it may end up as a rumba or rock 'n' rol.l" Choper says.
"It will be fusion music using different rhythms and styles, but the song won't disintegrate into something unfamiliar." says Tasat.