Klezska combines Klezmer, Jewish, Israeli and original melodies with traditional Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae rhythms and arrangements. This eight-piece ensemble stretches out with powerful jazzy improvisational solos remeniscent of groups like The Skatalites and John Coltrane while providing the "Jewish" sound of the Klezmer and Middle-Eastern Music. The Ska and Rock Steady beats will keep you dancing while your head is exploring the music.
You can hear some of our music at www.klezska.com . Thanks and we hope to see you there!
Klezska Bio Sheet (partial)
Alex Kontorovich - Clarinet, Alto & Baritone Sax:
Alex Kontorovich was born in Voronezh, Russia, an Eastern European city south of Moscow which is currently the home of a large Neo-Nazi movement. He and his family settled in New Jersey in 1988, and he became involved with music soon thereafter. Throughout high school, Alex played mostly jazz and classical saxophone, performing with various All-State and Tri-State groups at venues including the Village Vanguard and Birdland clubs in NYC. In college, Alex returned to his roots by picking up the clarinet and co-founding the Klez Dispensers, a critically acclaimed klezmer ensemble. Alex's recording, touring, and performance credits run a gamut of styles, from a classical saxophone trio, symphony orchestras, and wind ensembles, to big bands, blues and swing, and hard bop ensembles. More recently, he joined several of King Django's projects, including the Roots and Culture Band, and
has been playing ska and reggae ever since.
Wayne Batchelor – Acoustic/Electric Bass:
Wayne Batchelor began his career as a jazz bassist at London’s Guildhall School of Music, on the post-graduate jazz degree course alongside rising UK musicians such as Steve Williamson (saxophone), Jason Rebello (keyboards), and Cleveland Watkiss (vocals). There followed an eight-year long successful career on London’s jazz scene, during which time Wayne traveled the world as a member of sax-player Courtney Pine’s band, Jason Rebello’s Quintet, and pianist Julian Joseph’s Quartet. Wayne also played in acid-jazzer Ronnie Jordan’s band, supporting Barry White’s UK tour, and touring to Europe, the USA and Japan. He also played with Guru in New York. Other UK collaborations included work with ex-Jazz Messenger Jean Toussaint, pianist Stan Tracey,
alto saxophonist Pete King, vocalist Tina May, the Jazz Warriors, the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra (including a world tour and television work) and Bernardo Sassetti (Portuguese jazz pianist).
Soon Wayne’s name became known on the international circuit and has played with artists such as Eddie Harris, Clark Terry, Art Farmer, Billy Childs, Carmen Lundy, Melba Joyce Gene Harris, Joey Calderazzo, Marlena Shaw, R&B vocalists Will Downing and Jonathan Butler, and in Europe with South African pianist Bheki Mseleku.
In 1995, following eight years of work and study, Wayne decided to return to education, this time at the invitation of Reggie Workman, Coordinator of Instruction in the Mannes Contemporary Music program at Manhattan’s New School. Known as the bass-player from London, Wayne quickly became a regular on the NY circuit, at the same time as studying under the tutelage of Buster Williams, Wayne fitted in gigs and tours with Carlos Garnett, Les McCann, Monty Alexander, Chico Freeman Bobby Watson, James Williams, Ernest Ranglin, Chris Potter, Sly Dunbar, Dean Fraser, Kirk Whalum and Terrell Stafford. More recently he’s worked with Jimmy Heath on the QE2 Transatlantic Jazz Cruise (Tribute to Oscar Peterson), Houston Person, Wycliffe Gordon, Ron Blake, Frank Wess, Hilton Ruiz, Ingrid Jensen, Mark
Murphy, Jeanie Bryson and Ernie Watts. In 1998 Wayne joined vocalist Nnenna Freelon’s working band and since then has worked with her all over the world, including most recently the Fujitsu Concord Jazz Festival in Japan and with the Takana Miyamoto trio, a special concert at Washington’s Kennedy Center with Take 6 and a gala concert with George Benson at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Wayne is also featured on Nnenna’s album ‘Soul Call’ which was nominated for 2 Grammy Awards and her latest album recorded live at the Carolina Theatre in NC and in Washington DC at the Kennedy Centre.
Meg Montgomery - Trumpet:
Meg Montgomery has been playing trumpet for 27 years, including such
varied styles as Classical, Jazz, Funk, Punk, African, Caribbean, Klezmer,
Broadway and Freejazz. Upon graduation from Indiana University, she began
her musical career in NYC and in 1997 released her first album, Le Collage
C'est Fou!! which combined African, Caribbean and Funk elements. In 1997
she also opened her production company, Worldly Vibe, which speicializes
in music and web design for artists. Meg has performed at Carnegie Hall,
Madison Square Garden, various Reggae festivals around the US and
Caribbean, and in 1998 debuted her stage personality, Electric Meg, at the
Burning Man festival in Nevada. Currently, in addition to Kleska, she is
in production on her 2nd album of compositions, as well as producing an
album of techno desert music for the
Grand Desert Festival in Morocco, and
working as technical director with Sussan Deyhim for an upcoming
multimedia extravaganza. Meg is also a computer software specialist. You
can visit her at http://www.worldlyvibe.com
Nick Balaban - Keyboards:
A graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, Nick has roots in many types of music including Blues, Jazz, Funk, World and Jamaican Music of all types. As the daytime musical director for the children's TV show "Blue's Clues", Nick brings a wonderfully playful level to the group and his wide experience with Jamaican Music. Having toured with Reggae superstars, Culture throughout Europe and Japan, Nick's jazz influence makes the Ska reminiscent of The Skatalites which is the roots of all reggae music.
Cedrick Im Brooks - Tenor Sax:
Cedrick Brooks is a legend in Jamaican Music. Having recorded on literally uncountable numbers of ska and reggae albums from the late 60's through today, Cedrick is a regular with the legendary ska band, The Skatalites. Cedrick is also an accomplished African drummer who brings this skill to the Klezska bandstand. What more can you say other than, "it's Cedrick Im Brooks."
KLEZSKA - part of the next wave in Jewish music www.klezska.com
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