Music CD details

Schalom-Bakhshayesh

'Shpil Klezmerl'

(ETM01)

Musicians:
Jilah Bakhshayesh - violin, voice
Guy Schalom - poyk (Jewish marching drum and cymbal), Bulgarian tupan, Yemeni petrol can, various traditional Middle Eastern hand-held drums, drum kit

Label - Ethnomusic Records, UK
Released 2003

Jewish Musical Traditions.

Press release:
Klezmer CD Made In Manchester, UK

'... recall the brusque energy of Macedonian or Turkish gypsy zurna and tapan bands - bursts of raw melody and rhythm without any harmony to soften the effect.'
fRoots magazine

Manchester-based klezmer duo Schalom-Bakhshayesh have been making waves in the world of folk music with their new CD, Shpil Klezmerl, celebrating the rich and diverse musical traditions of the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe, Moorish Spain and the Middle East.

Schalom-Bakhshayesh, who have already made a name for themselves at klezmer, world music and jazz festivals in the UK and abroad, combine violin, percussion and voices to create their unique sound. Shpil Klezmerl, a collection of sixteen beautiful tracks, is released on the Ethnomusic label.

Percussionist Guy Schalom plays an authentic poyk (Jewish marching drum and
cymbal), Bulgarian tupan and even a Yemeni petrol can as well as the traditional range of Middle Eastern hand-held drums. Based in Didsbury, Guy graduated in Popular Music and Recording from Salford University and has taught percussion at the annual Klezfest in London as well as holding klezmer workshops at the Rhythm Sticks percussion festival at London's South Bank Centre. He has also played with various U.S. and Canadian klezmer bands. "I don't know of any other drummers in this country specializing in klezmer," says Guy, whose highly-developed drum-kit style is firmly rooted in contemporary klezmer. YaD Arts (London) describe Guy as "the leading Jewish music percussionist this side of the Atlantic."

Guy was born in Israel and first learnt Jewish music at home and at nursery. "Like many Jewish families we sang together on Friday nights and at festivals like Chanukah," he says. "Then we moved to Manchester, and I went to a Sephardi synagogue with my grandparents and learnt lots of tunes there - although I never imagined I'd be studying them in years to come! My late grandmother also used to sing Ladino songs for us."

Violinist and singer Jilah Bakhshayesh, from New Mills, was born to English and Iranian parents and graduated in Anthropology and Comparative Religion. Jilah has a wealth of experience in playing and singing styles from Jewish communities stretching from the Middle East through Eastern Europe to Moorish Spain. She is also deeply influenced by Gypsy music, and while traveling in France managed to fulfill her lifelong ambition of playing violin with Gypsy musicians.

'You've just got to hear this woman play!'
Bath Fringe Festival

'Jilah has an obvious great love and deep understanding of klezmer music.'
Musicport festival in Whitby

'…a deep sense of understanding and flair' '…acknowledged as the leading Jewish music percussionist this side of the Atlantic.'
YaD Arts

'Their intense but joyous music grew organically and filled the room - quite literally, as we had to turn people away.'
Manchester Jazz Festival

GBP 10.79

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Schalom Bakhshayesh

'Shpil Klezmerl'

(ETM01)

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