GREETINGS FROM THE ISLE OF KLEZBOS, the much-anticipated debut full-length album by New York's notorious and much-loved all-star, all-female klezmer sextet, shares their wide-ranging tastes and astonishing chops in an array of rollicking dances, moda [+]GREETINGS FROM THE ISLE OF KLEZBOS, the much-anticipated debut full-length album by New York's notorious and much-loved all-star, all-female klezmer sextet, shares their wide-ranging tastes and astonishing chops in an array of rollicking dances, modal trances, soaring Yiddish swing solos, and haunting lullaby, all enwrapped by fabulous graphics, full lyrics & translation, and lovingly lucid liner notes. The album was nominated for a 2004 Outmusic Award for Outstanding Producer, and features a guest drawing [back cover] by Alison Bechdel of her cartoon character Mo from "Dykes to Watch Out For" attempting a clarinet wail.
Isle of Klezbos (whose members have also performed with such artists as The Indigo Girls, Natalie Cole, Amy Sedaris, Bruce Springsteen and Bonnie Raitt) deftly explores a wide stylistic assortment of traditional and original music, including both studio arrangements and live-performance bonus tracks, including lesser-known klezmer gems. The group is proud to acknowledge their entertainment value while creating work that is also beautiful, plaintive and vibrant. Groove-oriented meditations, a catchy & irony-tinged post-modern waltz, revamped high-energy classics, and even a klezmerengue keep the listening landscape eclectic and everchanging.
Since forming in 1998, Isle of Klezbos has played for CNN Worldbeat, PBS' In The Life, Seattle's Bumbershoot, NYC's Knitting Factory, Makor, Tonic, Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, The Brooklyn Museum of Art's First Saturday series, BAMcafe at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, National Yiddish Book Center, Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, and colleges from Harvard to Vassar to St. Louis' Edison Theatre at Washington University. The sextet includes four Metropolitan Klezmer members plus two more klezbian comrades: "these women will make you shake your tushies." - Village Voice
KLEZBOS MUSICIAN BIOS: Trumpet/flugelhorn artist PAM FLEMING toured with Natalie Merchant in Lilith Fair, also appearing nationally as guest soloist with the Indigo Girls. She has performed with Bonnie Raitt, reggae star Burning Spear, and the all-women's big band Diva. A dynamic composer and leader of jazz project Fearless Dreamer, playing styles from salsa to swing to funk, she is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music.
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