The Midwest's Premier Klezmer Band Since 1983
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Jeff Jeziorski
Clarinet
Jeff writes:
I hooked up with Maxwell Street in 1988. My Balkan clarinet skills earned me a short audition, then I was invited to a trio gig with Lori and then welcomed into the fold, where I have remained for 36 years.
I am featured on three Maxwell Street recordings, including You Should Be So Lucky as well as the upcoming 40th Anniversary Album.
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Even though I had a piano in my bedroom as a child, I was drawn to the clarinet and started playing at age nine. I can remember my parents calling me to dinner and me protesting that I wasn’t done practicing yet–I had a musical fixation and determination, and it stayed with me. I graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Music History and Theory and a minor in Composition.
After college, in a bowling alley which had become a Serbian restaurant, I struck up a conversation with one of the musicians and ended up playing from table to table there for ten years. This experience forced me to play music by ear, and served me well later as a klezmer musician.
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In klezmer, the clarinet is played an octave higher than in most cases, as the clarinet makes the characteristic laughing and crying sounds.
The clarinet is unique in klezmer music: you can wail and tell a story and communicate all at the same time.
The music may be complicated, but when you delve deeply into it, the notes go away and your fingers just play!
Before my time with the band, I played shows for an organization called Arts Reach which brought music to seniors, and was proudly their first pick for some time. Once, a 100-year-old woman got out of her chair–which I gathered she didn’t do often–and started moving to the music. You know you’re having success when you’re getting that involvement from the audience. It’s energy you’re putting out, and you are getting energy back–it’s a really a happy loop.
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When you can feel the audience is with you, you just know,
there’s a collective gasp and applause that really lets you know.
It’s not just entertainment, it touches the soul and heart.
Over the years in Maxwell Street, the musicians’ talent has made it a joy to be a part of. As you may expect, the higher caliber of musicianship brings up your own playing level. We performed twice in Germany and stood out even among international talent. My personal highlight was when I was allowed to sing the Louis Armstrong classic, “What a Wonderful World,” at The Grosse Hall (The Great Hall in Salzburg, Austria, and found the audience to be highly receptive. As for all the weddings I have played with Maxwell Street, I guess that I am a sucker for lifecycle events, which are the thread that binds all people and all cultures together. ​
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Lastly, I must say that this group of musicians now, and those who have passed on, have been real good folk to know–always friendly and supportive. I also thank Lori and her husband for hosting musicians for dinner and for creating that kind of camaraderie. Lori is very demanding, but that’s how you get good quality. It has been, and continues to be, my honor to be a part of this group.
"Have Clarinet, Will Travel."
Jeff Jeziorski
