The Cincinnati Klezmer Project
7809 Shadowhill Way
Cincinnati, OH 45242
ph: (513) 807-7510
fax: (513) 891-0075
stuhlbar
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We are the Cincinnati Klezmer Project. We perform, teach, and preserve authentic Eastern European Klezmer music, Jewish folk music, Yiddish ballads, music from the Yiddish theater, and Israeli folk songs. Since 1993, we have performed at hundreds of festivals, concerts, weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other celebrations.
Klezmer music is the “soul music” of the Jewish people. The original Klezmer musicians traveled from shtetl to shtetl, performing at Jewish weddings in the early 18th century. Over decades and centuries, it evolved into a sophisticated musical tradition that is highly emotional and exuberant, and Klezmer and Yiddish dance tunes, love songs, drinking songs, wedding processionals, and liturgical melodies flourished in Jewish communities throughout Eastern Europe. Though it nearly died out a generation ago, it is today undergoing an international renaissance, widely acclaimed and celebrated by Jewish and non-Jewish music-lovers alike. When played slowly, it makes you want to cry; when played up tempo, the urge to dance is irresistible.
The group performs not only in the greater Cincinnati metropolitan area, but also all over the Midwest, from Chicago to West Virginia. It has also perfomed in New York, Colorado, Canada, and even Belgium. It has performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, in the lobby before Yitzchak Perlman's recent performance with the Dayton Symphony Orchestra, and has recorded and released several Cds of Klezmer and Israeli music: "A Bisl Freyd, A Bisl Lakhn (A Little Joy, A Little Laughter)," "Havah Nirkod (Let's Dance)," “Freylakh Zol Zayn,” “Klezmer‘s Greatest Hits,” “Old World Meets New World,” and “Driven Leaf.”
BIOS
Michele Gingras, Professor of Clarinet at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, has performed both Klezmer and classical music around the world. At Miami University, She was awarded the titles of Distinguished Educator in 2002, and Distinguished Scholar in 2005. She has recorded 10 CDs of clarinet music, including 4 CDs of Klezmer music, and is the author of "Clarinet Secrets: 52 Performance Strategies for the Advanced Clarinetist," published by Scarecrow Press.
Irina Bernadsky (Ukrainian mandolin) received her musical education at a prominent music conservatory in Kiev, Ukraine. After graduation, she worked as a music teacher in Kiev’s music school system until she emigrated to the United States in 1993. Here in
Cincinnati, she has been performing music for the past 16 years. She also serves as Director of Activities at Wellspring Health Care Center.
Steven F. Stuhlbarg (classical guitar and vocals) has been performing Jewish music at synagogues and simchas for the past 37 years. When he is not singing or playing guitar, he practices law in Cincinnati. Steve became the Director of the Cincinnati Klezmer Project in 2003.
Michele, Irina, and Steve joined the Cincinnati Klezmer Project in 1994.
Chris Novy (drums) was one of the founding members of the Cincinnati Klezmer Project in 1993. Over the years he has performed with a great many local bands of all sorts. Chris is also the Director of Traveling Exhibits at Cincinnati Museum Center.
Josh Moore (bass) is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He joined our group in 2003. In additi0on to playing with the Cincinnati Klezmer Project, Josh also performs with jazz combos, big bands, salsa groups, orchestras, pop groups, and in musicals.
Order CDs Now!
Call Steve at (513) 807-7510 to order any of our CDs. Our newest release is:
Havah Nirkod (Let's Dance),
which provides one full hour of Israeli Folk Dance Music.
7809 Shadowhill Way
Cincinnati, OH 45242
ph: (513) 807-7510
fax: (513) 891-0075
stuhlbar
