The Klezmorim

**The Klezmorim** were a trailblazing force in the 1970s klezmer revival, dusting off the spirited sounds of Eastern European Jewish folk music and injecting them with fresh, wild energy. Formed in Berkeley, California, in 1975, this raucous ensemble became known for their fiery live shows and genre-blurring mashups of traditional klezmer, jazz, and vaudeville flair. They weren’t just preservationists—they cranked up the tempo, added brass-heavy arrangements, and turned centuries-old melodies into something thrillingly modern.

Their discography, including releases like *Metropolis* (1983) and the live *Jazz-Babies of the Ukraine* (recorded in Amsterdam, 1986), showcases their playful irreverence and technical chops. The Klezmorim even snagged a Grammy nomination for *Metropolis*, a quirky feat for a band resurrecting obscure folk tunes. Though they disbanded in the early ’90s, their legacy lives on as pioneers who helped spark today’s global klezmer scene. Whether stomping through frenetic dance numbers or weaving mournful clarinet lines, they made sure this ancestral music stayed gloriously, joyfully alive.

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