Isle of Klezbos: High Noon Hanukkah

Isle of Klezbos approaches Yiddish musical traditions with loving irreverence and profound respect, celebrating Hanukkah with a special High Noon show. The soulful, fun-loving powerhouse all-gal klezmer sextet has toured from Vienna to Vancouver since 1998. Blending neo-folkloric tunes, reimagined classics, and original sounds all their own, the band’s "cutting-edge klezmer" (New York Magazine) is acclaimed as “rapturous and rollicking” (Los Angeles Blade). A joyous collaboration of alumnae from Juilliard, Eastman, Berklee and Harvard, the group is renowned for soloing artistry from deeply grooving to rambunctious to ethereal. Their inventive arrangements and vibrant energy span styles from 2nd Avenue swing and Yiddish tango to klezmer reggae, cumbia, and boogaloo, as well as art song, lullaby, and balagan. Isle of Klezbos has been seen and heard from HBO and PBS to CBS Sunday Morning and The L Word. The band’s musical documentary theater hit “J.Edgar Klezmer: Songs from My Grandmother’s FBI Files” was praised by The New York Times in its sold-out Off-Off Broadway run for a “lively score — klezmer, jazz, boogie-woogie …Smartly written.” This holiday concert will feature special appearances by Yiddish theater star Yelena Shmulenson as well, who has appeared as guest vocalist for both "J.Edgar Klezmer" and rarely-performed retro film soundtrack glories on our latest album, "Yiddish Silver Screen," highlighting the archival cinema devotion and far-flung imagination of drummer/bandleader Eve Sicular. Isle of Klezbos bandmates have also had the joy & honor of performing with the late great Jill Sobule on her original "Music from Yentl” project at Lincoln Center, Joe’s Pub and beyond, including songs they have lately performed in tribute to her memory.