Dance to some Klezmer. Enjoy some food and drink.
We are delighted to be back at Hermann's Jazz Club on Sunday November 30th for a late afternoon of music and dance and song..
Lucila Nerenberg - guitar
Alex Olsen - mandolin
Martina Peladeau - flute and recorders
Kate Rhodes - violin
Barbara Pedrick Blied - bass
Tickets cash only at the door. $15.
Seniors and students $12.
Children under 12 free
doors 4:30
show 5 to 8 pm
for reservations TheKlezVictoria@gmail.com
"The Klez " play Klezmer- the celebratory music of Jews from Eastern Europe.
Born in a crossroads of many civilizations, Klezmer music includes the haunting qualities of Jewish, Balkan, Turkish, Eastern European, Greek and Gypsy music. Alluring rhythms and exotic modes can change several times, even within one song. The melodies often combine happy and sad themes that reflect the nature of life.
We also play Sephardic music. These are the lovely ballads of the Jews who were driven out of Spain in 1492. Some of Sephardic songs are old indeed and are reminiscent of medieval Spain, when Jews, Christians and Muslims shared a fruitful era of relative peace.
Both Klezmer and Sephardic genres are music filled with love and longing, and heart-felt joy. They are wonderful examples of foot tapping music, rich with stories of hope and survival. We also enjoy singing traditional folk songs in Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino.
Audiences are encouraged to both dance and sing along.
We have performed for different Jewish congregations, Moss Street and James Bay Markets, Hermann's Jazz Club, Centennial Square and many private engagements.
Awards include the 2011 and 2012 Victoria Balalaika Orchestra prize at the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. The band includes Martina Peladeau on flute and recorders, Kate Rhodes on violin, Alex Olson on mandolin, Barbara Pedrick Blied on bass and Lucila Nerenberg on guitar.
Barbara Pedrick Blied grew up with music in the home and has played various instruments very simply since the 4th grade. Barbara came to the upright bass through bluegrass music and she is a graduate of the "less is more" school of bass playing. She enjoys the rhythmic mix that is klezmer and loves the time spent with the Klez gang. Her favorite audience response is when people dance and join in singing.
Lucila Nerenberg hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has trained extensively in classical, jazz and Latino guitar as well as Klezmer and loves ethnomusicology. Lucila has performed as lead and rhythm guitarist in both a Klezmer and a Sephardic band. She is delighted to be playing her beloved musical genre in Victoria with a band that can swing with the best of 'em!
Martina Peladeau was born and raised in Europe surrounded by classical and traditional music. Moving to Vancouver Island and being inspired by the nature of the West Coast her flute playing became more improvisational. Now Martina loves playing with her Klezmer Ensemble in Victoria. The touching melodies and rhythms of Eastern Europe have always been her passion and the Sephardic songs are her new favorites.
"Kate Rhodes grew up in a family of musicians who thought a fun evening at home was to play chamber music. For 35 years Kate has worked in the world of symphonic classical music. She continues to take the fun of music-making seriously with this lively and lovely klezmer band of friends."
Although orchestral bowed bass is the backbone of Alex Olson’s career, his folk roots go back just over forty years to his first bluegrass bands. Later, still as a
standup bassist in Victoria, he was part of the "ethnic", klezmer and jazz scenes.
Mandolin playing is a relatively recent project for him and he feels lucky to join with his wife in the Galz to hone his skills as a mandolinist.