· Grammy Winners · Official WOMEX 2025 Artists · Pioneers · · of Modern Klezmer & World Music ·
40th Anniversary Season & New Album — We Were Made for These Times
For four decades, The Klezmatics have stood at the forefront of global music — blending Yiddish soul with punk, gospel, jazz, and folk to create songs that are joyful, defiant, and profoundly human.
The only klezmer band ever to win a Grammy, they’ve toured five continents and inspired generations with their fearless mix of tradition and rebellion.
Now marking their 40th anniversary, The Klezmatics unveil We Were Made for These Times — a bold new album and touring season connecting their activist roots with today’s global stories.
From reimagined classics to multicultural collaborations and seasonal celebrations, the 2026–27 season honors a legacy built on rhythm, justice, and unshakable joy.
ABOUT THE KLEZMATICSBorn in New York’s East Village in 1986, The Klezmatics transformed klezmer into a living art form — full of spirit, wit, and unstoppable groove. Their music combines ecstatic dance rhythms and poetic Yiddish lyrics with the edge of urban life, bridging spirituality and subversion with unmatched virtuosity.
They’ve collaborated with Itzhak Perlman, Chava Alberstein, Arlo Guthrie, Tony Kushner, Joshua Nelson, and Allen Ginsberg, and their work spans theatre, dance, film, and television — from A Dybbuk and Pilobolus Dance Theatre to PBS’s Great Performances and HBO’s Sex and the City.
Winners of the GRAMMY Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album, The Klezmatics continue to fill major halls and festivals worldwide, uniting communities through humor, heart, and rhythm.
PRESS«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».
— Time Out New York
«Since coming together in the mid-’80s, The Klezmatics’ members have resided at the genre’s forefront while pushing it in new and innovative directions».
— NPR
«But while the band have done a sterling job promoting interest in Klezmer and Yiddish music, you can’t overlook what they’re adored for — catchy, pulse-quickening party tunes and heart-warming melodies — just try to watch them and not a) weep or b) stop yourself dancing».
— Jewish Chronicle
2026–27 SEASON PROGRAMS
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2026–27 SEASON PROGRAMS
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2026–27 SEASON PROGRAMS • 2026–27 SEASON PROGRAMS •
As Official WOMEX 2025 Artists, The Klezmatics launch their 40th-anniversary touring season with programs for festivals, theatres, and concert halls worldwide:
✨ We Were Made for These Times
New-album presentation featuring multilingual repertoire and guest collaborations.
✨ Best of 40 Years
A joyful retrospective spanning their most beloved and groundbreaking works.
✨ Seasonal Shows
Happy Joyous Hanukkah and Songs of Faith & Freedom, a Passover/Easter celebration with gospel star Joshua Nelson.
Each performance channels the band’s boundless energy and cultural depth — a reminder that The Klezmatics remain one of the most vital and enduring voices in world music.
Now booking worldwide for the 2026–27 season
USA – FLi Artists (Matt Greenhill)
For Europe - Tomato Production
For Management and partnerships Roots and Chords Music
Piranha / WOMEX Partner
The Klezmatics current line-up:-
Richie Barshay
percussion
A dynamic percussionist known for his work with the Herbie Hancock Quartet, has been hailed as "a major rhythm voice on the rise" and continues to perform, record, and lead outreach projects worldwide.
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Matt Darriau
kaval, clarinet, saxophone
Matt Darriau, a multi-instrumentalist and "musical polyglot," has infused the Klezmatics' sound with jazz, Balkan, and Celtic influences since 1995, while also leading his own genre-blending projects and earning recognition as a key innovator in modern jazz.
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Lisa Gutkin
violin, vocals
Lisa Gutkin, a versatile violinist and composer, brought her diverse musical background—ranging from classical and Irish folk to bluegrass and rock—to the Klezmatics, where she became a key creative force, even earning Pete Seeger's praise for her songwriting.
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Frank London
trumpet, keyboards
Trumpeter and composer Frank London, co-founder of the Klezmatics, has been a driving force in contemporary Jewish music, contributing to hundreds of recordings and projects that blend klezmer, jazz, and world music with bold innovation.
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Paul Morrissett
bass, tsimbl
A longtime Klezmatics member and versatile multi-instrumentalist, blends his love for Eastern European and Scandinavian folk traditions with his passion for dance music, bringing a deep rhythmic energy to the band's sound.
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Lorin Sklamberg
lead vocals, accordion, guitar, piano
Co-founder and lead singer of the Klezmatics, is renowned for his transcendent and emotionally powerful voice, which has shaped contemporary klezmer music while also influencing Jewish spiritual and folk traditions worldwide.
WHY BOOK THE KLEZMATICS?
Global Recognition
Grammy-winning pioneers of contemporary klezmer,
The Klezmatics are celebrated worldwide for their nearly 40-year legacy of musical innovation and cultural impact.
Strategic Digital Presence
With a strong social media and streaming presence,
The Klezmatics collaborate with presenters to maximize outreach, driving ticket sales and audience engagement.
Unmatched Momentum
As they approach their 40th anniversary, The Klezmatics remain a powerhouse, with sold-out tours and a growing fan base fueled by reissued albums and digital engagement.
