Yale Strom (bandleader, fiddle), Peter Stan (Accordion), Norbert Stachel (Reeds), Sprocket (Bass), Elizabeth Schwartz (vocals and hand percussion), David Licht (drums), Fred Benedetti (guitar), Tripp Sprague (saxophone) among others.
Yale Strom was a pioneer among klezmer revivalists in conducting extensive field research in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans among the Jewish and Rom communities since 1981. Initially, his work focused primarily on the use and performance of klezmer music between these two groups. Gradually, his focus increased to examining all aspects of their culture, from post-World War II to the present. In the more than two decades since his initial ethnographic trip, Yale Strom has been recognized as Romania Rai, and become the world’s leading ethnographer-artist of klezmer.
New York’s Jewish Week writes: “He’s a gifted photographer and author, a talented documentary filmmaker and has his own klezmer band... Strom’s multifaceted career is a wonder, and his work schedule is downright fiendish.” Yale has been profiled in Time Magazine and has garnered these comments: “A commanding bandleader and composer” (Pulse! Magazine), “one of the best klezmer musicians in the country” (Houston Public News) and “an all-around musical visionary” (Seth Rogovoy). Dirty Linen sums it up most concisely: “Yale Strom is a Jewish roots trip unto himself”.
Noted for preserving and animating Yiddish and klezmer culture, Yale conceived and curated "A Great Day on Eldridge Street" in October 2007, featuring an iconic group portrait of 104 of the world's leading klezmer and Yiddish artists on the steps of the landmark Eldridge Street synagogue and marching through the Lower East Side, followed by concerts at CUNY and Symphony Space and a Rockefeller funded tour of New York State with a core group of 13 klezmorim.
Yale’s violin has been heard on numerous recordings and soundtracks. He was the first klezmer violinist in history to instruct master classes at both the American String Teachers Association convention and the Mark O’Connor Fiddle Camp. His CD's, films, books, solo and group photography exhibits have landed him on Top Ten lists around the globe. He is currently Artist-in-Residence at San Diego State University's Jewish Studies department, who created the position for him.
How nice to e-befriend you, oh myspace newbie! Hope we can work something out for the sacred music festival, and get you in to KAOS radio as part of the deal. Will talk with you soon.
Scott Stevens, World Music Director KAOS Radio, CAB 301 The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA 98505 USA
