The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band: Homepage

What is "Klezmer music"? Klezmer--a Yiddish word for a folk musician--refers to traditional Jewish dance melodies from Eastern Europe. The lost art of the klezmer has been revived over the past three decades as part of the World Music movement. Traditionally played at weddings and other celebrations, klezmer music has now become part of the performance arts repertoire and includes songs of the Yiddish theater in addition to folk music.

As Jewish immigrants came to America, they brought this style with them, but quickly the adapted it to American tastes and instrumentation. The result? A very organic fusion of everything from Russian dances, Chassidic drinking songs and Hungarian gypsy bravado blended with Dixieland, early jazz and swing and even a Yiddishe Rhumba! Because of this, a klezmer concert is a true variety show.

The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band has been one of the Midwest's premiere Klezmer Bands for over twenty years. Performing both for public concerts in the U.S. and worldwide, and for weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and other private parties, Maxwell Street has been central to the revival of traditional Jewish music in the Midwest. It is one of the true Klezmer "Big Bands," recalling the rich, jazzy sounds of the Swing Era.

Want to know more? We're glad to hear it! Feel free to browse this site, listen to our audio clips, or watch videos of our past performances. And don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have--about Klezmer music or your private party. You call, we'll talk!