Klezmer band called ‘Muzykant’ in Praga

August 5, 2018

This band played in our neighborhood last night.  I would call their music Klezmer, although I do not know what they call it.  Klezmer is a musical tradition of the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe dating to the Renaissance.   We do not possess musical notation of the earliest forms, however when Jewish musicians came to the US their music was influenced by jazz.  To strictly define Klezmer is difficult but I like to say I know it when I hear it, although it is rather difficult at times.  These days bands often consist of a clarinet, sax, fiddle, drum, accordion and a trombone.  Last night there was a bass guitar and a flugelhorn.  Hammer dulcimer and bass fiddle are traditional.  I have never seen a horn mounted on a fiddle, but I have now!

The friendly crowd was enthusiastic, dancing, enjoying some of the excellent beer you find everywhere in Poland.  A good time was had by all.

One of the band gave me a slip of paper with some email addresses and websites.  muzykant@man.torun.pl or kke@edu.pl,”Dobranotch” http://dobranotch.ru & “Opa!” http://o-p-a.ru

There was not much light so the video isn’t great, but you will enjoy the music.  Check out the light show on the side of the building next door.