Vibrant and soulful, Klezmer is the traditional instrumental music of the Eastern European Jews. Emerging in post medieval Eastern Europe, professional folk musicians, the Klezmorim, played at jewish and gentile celebrations, the courts of the Hassidic Rebbes (religious leaders) and for the non-jewish aristocracy.

With roots in the vocal mnusic of the synagogue, The Klezmorim adopted techniques from other European dance and folk music and incorporated melodic ideas from Greco - Turkish popular music.

In the twentieth Century, Klezmorim were among those who emigrated west, many ending up in America. The music formed part of the Yiddish culture, captured on record, in film, performed in music halls and still played at jewish cellebrations up to the fifties.

Nearly lost, the music was rediscovered in the seventies and is now thriving in Europe and America.

For more information, please see   www.manchesterklezmer.org