FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EUROPE’S TOP KLEZMER GROUP TO TOUR AUSTRALIA

The London Klezmer Quartet 2013 Australia Tour: 28 Feb – 1 April 2013

The London Klezmer Quartet (LKQ) return to Australia for a five-week national tour of the festival circuit and major venues from 28 February. And they have a hot new album with them!

In “stylish performances from four highly accomplished and in-demand musicians’” (Folk Roots Magazine) this all-female band will take Australian concert and festival audiences on a Jewish musical odyssey from Eastern Europe to Australia via the Balkans, Thailand, Turkey, the US and London.

Klezmer is the traditional celebratory and soulful music of Jewish Eastern Europe. From kley zemer (Hebrew: vessels of song) – music that kept Yiddish wedding parties on their feet for days!

Ilana Cravitz (fiddle), Susi Evans (clarinet), Carol Isaacs (accordion), and Indra Buraczewska (double bass) bring world music fans and fine music lovers the whirling, irresistible energy of Klezmer. You will want to laugh, to cry, and most of all… to dance! Their authentic sound has won praise from leading international exponents of this tradition, including Stuart Brotman of Brave Old World and Frank London of the Klezmatics.

The LKQ made a huge splash with their 2012 debut tour of the east coast of Australia, playing to sold out audiences. Following the enthusiastic reception the band received from very diverse audiences, they are back by popular demand just 12 months later with their newest CD, entitled “Butterfield Green N16” (Ethnomusic Records, 2013) – full of traditional-style original material inspired by their travels and their London stomping ground. Track titles include ‘Chalk Farm Sirba’ and ‘Butterfield Green Kolomeyke’.

These innovators and leaders of the international klezmer scene will play up a storm at no less than 6 festivals including Port Fairy Folk Festival, the National Folk Festival, the Blue Mountains Music Festival, Brunswick Music Festival, Nannup Music Festival and Castlemaine State Festival, plus a wide spectrum of venues, including the Melbourne Recital Centre, Camelot, the Famous Spiegeltent, and Sydney Jewish Museum.

At the forefront of the international klezmer dance revival, LKQ boast one of only two UK dance callers. Those strutting their stuff at special dance events will have the chance to learn how to hot-foot it Yiddish style. The band will also be passing on their technical skills and knowledge of this style of playing at their 100% participatory workshops at festivals – and through Sydney Conservatorium’s Open Academy.

Australia Tour Program:

28 Feb Kulcha, Fremantle (WA) www.kulcha.com.au

1 Mar Bunbury, Eliot St Bar, Burlington Hotel www.trybooking.com/CGFN

2-3 Mar Nannup Music Festival (WA) www.nannupmusicfestival.org

7 Mar Melbourne Recital Centre (Salon auditorium) www.melbournerecital.com.au

8-11 Mar Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC) www.portfairyfolkfestival.com

13 Mar Sydney Jewish Museum (NSW) www.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au

14 Mar Camelot (Sydney) www.camelotlounge.com

15-17 Mar Blue Mountains Music Festival (NSW)www.bmff.org.au

17 Mar Camelot (Sydney) www.camelotlounge.com

18 Mar Sydney Conservatorium w’shop http://openacademy.sydney.edu.au/workshopsandfestivals

22 Mar Castlemaine State Festival (VIC) http://castlemainefestival.com.au/2013

23 Mar Brunswick Music Festival (VIC) www.brunswickmusicfestival.com.au

24 Mar Famous Spiegeltent, Arts Centre Melb. http://spiegel.artscentremelbourne.com.au/2013

24 Mar House Concert (Glen Iris, Melb.) for bookings contact Pam Harris

25 Mar Melba Hall (Melb.) Lunch hour concert http://www.bmus.unimelb.edu.au/concerts/lunchhour

28 Mar-1 Apr The National Folk Festival (Canberra) www.folkfestival.org.au

/cont…

Praise for the London Klezmer Quartet

Performance reviews:

“Violin, piano accordion, bass and clarinet meet in a joyous celebration that goes far beyond the traditional klezmer field of weddings to embrace a celebration of life itself” Sydney Morning Herald

“The phones went crazy when we offered the giveaway tickets!” Jo Printz, Producer, ABC Central Victoria

“I'm still buzzing from yesterday evening's concert! It was absolutely superb. It was dramatic, beautifully played, very evocative, entertaining and one of those nights out where you feel so happy to have been there!” Catherine Benz, Curator, Delmar Gallery, Sydney

“Fabulous, professional and a joy to watch and listen to.” UK Jewish Music Institute

“The London Klezmer Quartet is the much-anticipated collaboration of some of the finest klezmer talent in the UK. They are educators, innovators and emerging leaders in the international klezmer scene.” Deborah Strauss, The Strauss/Warschauer Duo

“The LKQ is made up of four of Europe’s most talented klezmer musicians. They are great performers and teachers and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and excitement to their performances.” Frank London, The Klezmatics; Artistic Director of Kleztival, Brazil; Artistic Co-ordinator of KlezKanada.

CD reviews

Of the new CD, Butterfield Green N16 (Ethnomusic Records, 2013):

“It may seem odd to find the shtetl being rebuilt inside the M25, but there's no lack of authenticity in the exuberant yet cultured playing of the violinist Ilana Cravitz, the accordionist Carol Isaacs, the clarinettist Susi Evans and the double-bassist Indra Buraczewska… While there's no shortage of dynamism here, the musicians dig deeper, too, bringing classical poise to the more introspective pieces.The tradition is safe in the hands of the next generation.“ UK Sunday Times

Of the debut CD, LKQ (Independent, 2010):

“A stylish and spectral debut from the LKQ, which features four highly accomplished and in-demand musicians… The generally crisp and subtly familiar arrangements are broken up by moments of genuine storm. A tremendous calling card for their increasingly acclaimed live performances.” Folk Roots Magazine

“The arrangements are spot on, and the balance is just right… LKQ gives a masterful performance, full of exuberance and artistry." Keith Wolzinger, Klezmer Podcast

Book Review

Of “Klezmer Fiddle – a how-to guide” by Ilana Cravitz, commissioned and published by Oxford University Press:

“The best exposition I’ve come across of Eastern European-style Jewish fiddle playing… Highly recommended.” Folk Roots Magazine

Media: for more information, bio, images, CDs, review tickets, MP3 recordings interviews, contact

Geoff Sirmai, Watchdog Communications: 02 9345 0360 or 0412 669 272

Electronic Press kit: www.londonklezmerquartet/epk.html

Web: www.londonklezmerquartet.com