Amsterdam Klezmer Band

Amsterdam Klezmer Band

Amsterdam Klezmer Band is a Dutch-Jewish group from the Netherlands that has been active since 1996. Founded by saxophone player Job Chajes, it performs Eastern European Jewish music with influences from Gypsy and Balkan traditions. The band develops from street, park and pub performances in Amsterdam into a regular presence on the Dutch and wider European live circuit.

Style and repertory

The group’s music centres on klezmer, Balkan and Gypsy material. Over time, only part of the repertory comes from traditional Balkan and klezmer sources; most of it is written by the band members themselves. All of the musicians contribute to the arrangements and compositions, creating a mix of Balkan, Gypsy and klezmer crossover material. The band’s aim is to renew Eastern European musical traditions through its own approach.

Live activity and touring

Amsterdam Klezmer Band gains recognition in Amsterdam through its energetic live performances and then appears more widely across the Netherlands. It plays the Oerol Festival in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and follows with an appearance at Noorderslagfestival in January 2001, where its set is described as a festival surprise. It also performs at Lowlands Festival in August 2001. Around the same period the band tours Slovenia, Switzerland and Italy, and completes three tours of Turkey.

Recordings and collaborations

The band’s third CD, Limonchiki, is released on the New York label Knitting Factory and is presented in Paradiso, Amsterdam during a Dutch club tour in autumn 2001. In September 2003 it releases Katakofti, a collaboration with the Galata Gypsy Band from Turkey, on Kalan Records. In January 2005 it releases SON, described as drawing on new Amsterdam Klezmer and Balkan material. The band’s members also take part in a range of other Dutch pop, jazz and world music projects, including Jammah Tammah, De Jongens Driest, Mendoza Dance Parti, Parels en de Funky Reddingsbrigade, Traffic Jam, Allez mama, Noujoum Raï, Cousin-x, Rickshaw Chase and Bernie’s Lounge.

Other studio work

The wind section of the band appears on studio projects by Arling & Cameron, Postmen, Normaal and Daryll Ann, including Two-Meter Sessions recordings.

Members

The group includes Job Chajes, Theo van Tol, Jasper de Beer, Gijs Levelt, Joop van der Linden, Janfie van Strien and Alec Kopyt.