The Klezmatics will be performing on Thursday, March 26 at Wharton Center. They are globally-renowned world music superstars — and the only klezmer band to win a Grammy Award.
Their revitalized klezmer music is steeped in Eastern European Jewish tradition with musical influences from Arab, African, Latin and Balkan rhythms, jazz and punk.
Time Out New York says, “The Klezmatics aren’t just the best band in the klezmer vanguard. On a good night, they can rank among the greatest bands on the planet.”
This group erupted out of New York City’s East Village in 1986. In 20 years, they have produced nine albums full of wild, mystical and ecstatically danceable music.
They have garnered numerous awards and accolades throughout their career, including a 2006 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album, a New York Jewish Music Award for Best Klezmer Band in 2006, a Gay and Lesbian American Music Award and the German Critics Award.
The Klezmatics have also frequently topped the Billboard world music charts.
Their work has extended to numerous theater, film, dance and television projects, including Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner’s “A Dybbuk and It’s an Undoing World” and Pilobolus Dance Theatre’s “Davenen.”
They have performed in over 20 countries at some of the most storied venues and renowned festivals worldwide, including Central Park Summerstage, Carnegie Hall, Pirineos Sur in Spain, Colours of Ostrava in Czech Republic, Pohoda Festival in Slovakia, Jazzsomer Graz in Austria and the Heimatklänge Festival in Germany. In addition, the group has been featured on popular TV and radio talk shows, such as “Late Night with David Letterman” on CBS, “Great Performances” on PBS, “Rhythms of the World” and the “John Peel Show” on BBC.
Tickets are now available to purchase at whartoncenter.com, at the Auto-Owners Insurance Ticket Office or by calling 1-800-WHARTON.