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London Klezmer Quartet in Concert

Picture: Savannah Photography

PRESENTER’S INFORMATION

London Klezmer Quartet Page 2 of 10

Contents COMPANY PROFILE ....................................................................................... 3ABOUT THE SHOW ......................................................................................... 3PERFORMANCE SPECIFICS ........................................................................... 4AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT ............................................................................. 5MARKETING .................................................................................................... 6PRODUCTION DETAILS .................................................................................. 9CONTACTS .................................................................................................... 10


COMPANY PROFILE The London Klezmer Quartet was formed in 2009 by four of Europe's top klezmorim (pl. Jewish folk musicians), to popularise a rich but almost-lost tradition of wonderful tunes played by professional folk musicians to move wedding guests to dancing, laughter and tears. LKQ is one of a handful of bands in the world also leading the dances this music would traditionally accompany. In 2012, the first of six Australian tours added a Melbourne double bass player to the ensemble, which has since toured in Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Holland, Latvia, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as all over the UK. Media during LKQ's Australian tours of stages ranging from national festivals to regional tours and small halls has included reviews in Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian, and coverage on ABC's The Music Show, The Rhythm Divine, & Classic FM's Morning Programme, as well as plenty of live appearances on regional shows. Melbourne Recital Centre, where LKQ regularly sells out the Salon venue, says: "Klezmer now has wide appeal in Australia, bolstered by LKQ's virtuosic and enthusiastic approach to bringing not just repertoire, but colourful anecdotes about its origins to audiences, helping to make the music accessible.“ LKQ loves touring, including to out-of-the-way places, as the band gets a chance to bring curious and open new audiences a live music experience that many find unexpectedly entertaining and moving. ABOUT THE SHOW SHOW SYNPOSIS Dance, sing, laugh and cry as the London Klezmer Quartet takes you on a musical odyssey from Eastern Europe to Australia via Thailand, Turkey, the US and London. The group plays the old and new traditional music of Jewish eastern Europe on fiddle, clarinet, accordion and double bass, and presents songs of love, life, food and drink. A typical evening with LKQ features a combination of traditional works and newly composed material inspired by the band’s origins and travels, as well as melodies mined from old manuscripts and 78rpm records and stories of musicans’ lives and times. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Susi Evans: Clarinet Ilana Cravitz: Violin Carol Isaacs: Piano accordion Indra Buraczewska: Double bass & vocals BIOGRAPHIES Ilana Cravitz, violin Ilana is one of a handful of professional violinists in the UK playing klezmer music in the traditional style. She has introduced thousands of people of all ages to klezmer through her performances, courses and workshops at festivals, venues of all shapes and sizes, and universities, music colleges and schools. Her book, 'Klezmer Fiddle – a How-To Guide', is published by Oxford University Press. Ilana also leads and calls for Yiddish dances and is a founder member of the London Klezmer Quartet, which has produced four well-received CDs,


toured Australia five times and performed in Brazil, Holland, Latvia, New Zealand and Switzerland. Ilana has also worked with leading Sephardic music group Los Desterrados and guested with many klezmer bands, including She'Koyokh (UK) and Isle of Klezbos (US). In 2015 and 2016 Ilana was Artistic Director of Klezfest, the UK's international klezmer festival, and she has been a faculty member at Yiddish Summer Weimar. Ilana studied baroque violin and viola da gamba at post-graduate level at the Royal College of Music in London, and can still sometimes be heard in concert playing on gut strings, as well as playing English and Celtic music with ceilidh bands. Susi Evans, clarinet. Susi "has a deep knowledge of the klezmer idiom" (Evening Standard), and her performances have inspired press reviews remarking on her “nimble solo features and excellent tone control” (The Scottish Herald), and “infectious enthusiasm” (Oxford Times). Susi is a founder member of the London Klezmer Quartet and also fronts She’koyokh – a band she co-founded 15 years ago that has won awards and performed internationally at festivals and venues as varied WOMAD, The Amsterdam Concertgebouw and Buskers Bern. Susi appeared regularly from 2007-2014 in the National Theatre's smash-hit production of War Horse and performs regularly with composer Jocelyn Pook. She has also collaborated with the Aurora Orchestra, Alan Bern (The Other Europeans), Frank London (the Klezmatics) and the Mahogany Opera Group. Susi was recently awarded an ARAM, an honorary degree granted by the Royal Academy of Music, from which Susi graduated with a first class degree in 2004. Having studied in Istanbul with Selim Sesler, at the Plovdiv Academy of Music with Nikola Iliev and with leaders of the klezmer revival, is now in demand as a teacher herself and is a regular faculty member at Klezfest London. Carol Isaacs, piano accordion A classically trained pianist, Carol works as a keyboard player and accordionist in the pop and world music fields. She has recorded and toured with many international artists including Sinead O’Connor (Ireland), The Indigo Girls (US), Bonnie Raitt (US), Joan Baez (US), Jackson Browne(US), Sam Brown (UK), Squeeze (UK), Midge Ure (UK), Latin Quarter (UK), Robert Palmer (UK), Natacha Atlas (Egypt), Sheik Taha (Egypt), Ahmed Mukhtar (Iraq), Abdel Ali Slimani (Algeria), Guesch Patti (France), Phongsit Khampee and Surachai Janthimatorn (Thailand). Carol is a founder member of Mediterranean Klezmer funk ensemble Hamsa and is working on a new project called ‘The Wolf of Baghdad’, which integrates music and art.

Indra Buraczewska, double bass & vocals After graduating from the Victorian College of Arts (Australia) as a classical violinist, Indra discovered the wonderful world of the bass. She has played a multitude of genres, from original pop and Balkans to jazz and funk. Touring throughout Europe, Indra has played at the Edinburgh and Galway festivals, and in Australia has appeared at major festivals including Woodford, the Falls Festival, Earthcore and the National Folk Festival. She played bass for the gypsy trio ‘Vardos’ for six years and continues to specialise in world music. Indra first joined the London Klezmer Quartet for their 2012 Australian tour and has been captivated by the klezmer genre. She features on three of LKQ's four albums – as singer as well as instrumentalist on the most recent CDs – and tours internationally with the band.

PERFORMANCE SPECIFICS DURATION


Act 1 – 50 mins Interval – 20 mins Act 2 – 45 mins

SUITABLE VENUES Suitable for all venues MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES PER WEEK 8 performances, including evening shows, schools & matinees MINIMUM BREAK BETWEEN PERFORMANCES 60 minutes APRA OBLIGATIONS The band will submit a list of works performed to APRA TOURING PERSONNEL The touring party consists of 4 people. Name Role Ilana Cravitz Violin (also manager) Susi Evans Clarinet Carol Isaacs Piano accordion Indra Buraczewska Double bass & vocals

PERFORMANCE HISTORY Year Venue Number of

performances 2009-2018 Various festivals and

venues of all sizes in 10 countries

100s

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT Opportunity: pre-show dance workshop, instrumental workshop, talk on

klezmer Target audience: amateur and professional musicians and dancers from

different genres; general public Objectives: for audience members to delve into the musical and historical

context of the upcoming performance, and be able to recognise, the better to relate to the material performed.

Opportunity: schools / youth group workshops Objectives: enjoyment of music, some rhythmic understanding and ability

to join in with a melody via clapping and singing; taking in a small amount of geographical / historical information and relating it to their own family situations where appropriate; dancing traditional steps (smaller groups).


Opportunity: age care facility, day care and residential centre performance Objectives: enrichment through music; recognition of familiar melodies;

musical and physical participation through clapping, tapping, dancing (led/spontaneous) as appropriate.

Example: 50-minute performance at Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School in Victoria, organised for the band by Nexus Arts. Feedback from Merril van Asperen, the teacher facilitating the event: “The London Klezmer Quartet exposes the students to a very high quality musical performance and a style of music that they would not be otherwise be aware of. The performers played with heart and connection to the music. The music seemed to tell a story without words. “45 – 50 minutes was about the ideal duration for this type of performance. The performers were warm and connected well with the students. They generously stayed behind to accompany a Year 5/6 group dancing as part of a follow up activity. “The students were fully involved in the performance, with listening, clapping and singing. They particularly enjoyed the ’holding your breath’ challenge along with Susi circular breathing on the clarinet. It is always difficult to get older students to fully value and appreciate different styles of music, however, this is all the more reason to include this in the curriculum. Each song/piece of music was introduced in a way which allowed the students to make a connection with it.” COST Finances tbc – prefer one-off fee for presenter. TARGET AUDIENCE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Various possible audiences – schools, youth ensembles, older people, therapeutic environments etc. – can be targeted directly (schools, age care homes, day centres, folk groups, classical musicians), and via traditional and social media. MARKETING MARKETING COPY One line Dance, sing, laugh and cry on a musical journey from the Baltic to the Black Sea – and beyond. Short Dance, sing, laugh and cry as the London Klezmer Quartet takes you on a musical odyssey from Eastern Europe to Australia via Thailand, Turkey, the US and London. The group plays the old and new traditional music of Jewish eastern Europe on fiddle, clarinet, accordion and double bass, and presents songs of love, life, food and drink. Extended Dance, sing, laugh and cry as the London Klezmer Quartet takes you on a musical odyssey from Eastern Europe to Australia via Thailand, Turkey, the US and London.


The group plays the old and new traditional music of Jewish eastern Europe on fiddle, clarinet, accordion and double bass, and presents songs of love, life, food and drink. LKQ has produced four well-received toe-tapping and tear-filled CDs and appeared around Australia in person and via the ABC and national press during six sell-out tours. From festivals to front rooms, village halls to classical venues, this versatile group's technical wizardry and interactive presentation style captivate audiences and draws in fans from across the musical spectrum. At an LKQ concert, you’ll enjoy a combination of traditional works and newly composed material inspired by the London Klezmer Quartet’s travels, their origins and their home grounds of London and Melbourne, as well as melodies mined from old manuscripts and 78rpm records. MARKETING SUMMARY The band will provide an experienced publicist to pursue press and broadcast opportunities and ensure events listings are covered. Manager (band member) works with publicist and presenters/venues to secure and provide copy, interviews etc. for local coverage. The band promotes all performances via social media. CDs provided for venues’ pre-publicity. MEDIA QUOTES

"The London Klezmer Quartet is one of the best purveyors of the music of Eastern European Jewish heritage" The Music Show, ABC Radio National

“A fantastic sound with inventive arrangements, virtuosity, exciting original tunes and soulful playing.” Songlines Magazine

"Exuberant yet cultured playing... no shortage of dynamism here... The tradition is safe in the hands of the next generation." Sunday Times

"Dynamic and authentic." Time Out, London

"Atmospheric albums." fROOTS

“When Buraczewska sang, all the earthiness, profound melancholy and celebratory joy you could desire came surging to the fore via her vast, singular contralto.” Sydney Morning Herald

"The real deal, to these ears.” Doug Spencer, The Weekend Planet, ABC Radio National, Australia

"One of the best ensembles playing this kind of music in the world." Northern Daily Leader, Australia

“The London Klezmer Quartet proved to be one of the most popular instrumental groups at the [National Folk] festival… Their infectious repertoire of much-loved, toe-


tapping klezmer tunes from Eastern Europe wowed the crowds… all played with passion and flair.” Australian Jewish News

AUDIENCE REVIEWS

"The show was quite marvellous yesterday. I am SO glad I managed to get to hear you all. Thank you for a thrilling afternoon." Miriam Margolyes, Perth

"My parents were Holocaust survivors and although they are long gone, your music brings back the best and warmest of memories for me, and you perform the music really wonderfully." Brian Fine, London

You were amazing and I'm so glad I travelled the five hours to see you. I hope you have a great year. You've made mine. Nola Camden, Perth

"Appreciate your sheer skill, feeling for music, syncronosity with each other, audience interaction and and your obvious enjoyment in performing this wonderful traditional music steeped in joyful and very sad history." Kate Allen, Maitland

COLLEAGUE RECOMMENDATIONS "People right round our region raved about you! I’d love all tours to be as successful and easy as the LKQ." Nicci Parry-Jones, Touring Coordinator, Arts NW ON TOUR, Australia "Thank you so much to all of you for such a brilliant performance. The energy and emotion of your playing and singing was perfect for the acoustics of our Chapel, and more than perfect for our audience!" Sacred Spaces Concert Series, Singleton, Australia VIDEO LINKS Short promo video: https://youtu.be/F40ylErhDZw http://londonklezmerquartet.com/video.html Some broadcast quality material can be made available on request. IMAGES http://londonklezmerquartet.com/epk.html Email [email protected] for higher resolution images. MARKETING MATERIALS Flyers, posters, leaflets, social media events and promotions, plenty of live video, behind the scenes interviews can be arranged. CONTENT WARNINGS / AUDIENCES TO AVOID None


SPONSOR OR OTHER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS None TEACHER’S RESOURCES No PRODUCTION DETAILS TECHNICAL SUMMARY For band sound: PA including desk with 9 channels 2 x XLR to desk with phantom power (for clarinet, violin) 1 x DI to bass amp/desk (for double bass) 2 x instrument mics to desk (for accordion) 1 x bass amp or monitor 4 x vocal mics 4 x monitors with separate sends if possible 1 x power (for clarinet) EXAMPLE SCHEDULE 45 mins – bump in 60 mins – soundcheck 60 mins – eat before performance / doors open 120 mins – performance including interval 60 mins – CD sales and bump out CREW REQUIRED FROM VENUE If performing with amplification 1 sound person for:

- set up (approx. 45 mins) - sound check (1 hour) - unmuting at beginning of show - muting /unmuting /muting for interval, recommencement and end of show

STAGE Minimum 2.3m (width) x 4.6m (depth) Company to supply Instrument mics Venue to supply Technical equipment as per Technical Summary above LIGHTING No particular lighting requirements SOUND


With a listening audience and good acoustic, the band can play without amplification. Otherwise venue to supply PA for sound as per Technical Summary above. FREIGHT NOTES Band arrives in one van. Needs parking close to the venue to unload. CONTACT Ilana Cravitz, Manager Usual contact info: +44 782 5510881; [email protected]; skype: icravitz Australian mobile number to be provided during the tour.

presenter’s information€¦ · coverage on abc's the music show, the rhythm divine, & classic...

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