Let's have a Simcha (party)!
The incomparable gypsy jazz clarinetist Dan Elias performs with guest musicians on the first Sunday of every month. This December, he brings the Fernern Shtern Klezmer Band to our stage. They will play festive music from the Klezmer and other traditions. Come celebrate the holiday season with this joyful performance.
More information on the performers coming soon.
Tickets: $20 here or at the door.
About the Musicians
Jordan Shapiro
Jordan is a Hudson Valley–based pianist, accordionist, guitarist, vocalist and bandleader known for his long-standing work in Balkan/Eastern European music, bluegrass music and progressive rock. A fixture of the NYC scene for decades, he’s performed in countless ensembles, bringing a deep feel for regional styles to both keyboards/accordion and guitar. His sideman work includes tours and recordings with Project/Object, Gary Lucas and Nona Hendryx, and a wide range of gigs that reflect his ability to move fluidly across folk traditions, rock music, and improvisation.
Jordan is the founder and bandleader of Choban Elektrik, a project dedicated to reimagining Balkan folk music through the sounds of vintage keyboards, electric textures, and tight ensemble interplay. Under his direction, the group has appeared in formats ranging from a core trio to a full six-piece lineup with strings, horns, and vocals—each arrangement built around Jordan’s vision of bringing new life to traditional melodies. Alongside his work as a performer, he is also an active teaching artist, leading workshops and school programs that explore global folk traditions and creative music-making.
Jerry Kisslinger
One of North America’s foremost presenters of Eastern European rhythms, percussionist Jerry Kisslinger has performed Balkan and Klezmer music at community events, concerts, and festivals for decades. On the faculty of the East European Folklife Center’s workshops since 1985, he teaches at workshops in the US and abroad, and with private students, and leads the informal music for congregation Mishkan Ha’am in Hastings.
A founding member of Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band, he currently plays with ZU and Kavala Brass Band as well as Pontic Firebird and other ensembles. Jerry’s discography includes Édessa and Friends: Balkan Border Music, Like in a Different World with traditional klezmer violinist Leon Schwartz, Di Shikere Kapelye, with Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All Stars,` as well as four recordings with Zlatne Uste and guest appearances on Raif Hyseni 24 and Dolunay’s Our House.
Dan Elias
Daniel Elias has been playing the clarinet since its invention. A product of his surroundings, Daniel brings the streets of Brooklyn alive with his instrument. There is so much good music in the world that Daniel feels would benefit from the clarinet. In playing classical, Klezmer, Greek, Jazz and American Contradance music, this approach seems to work. The clarinet is not apparently suited for Grunge Music or Hurrian Hymns - so he will not be playing those. Daniel is pleased to continue his musical explorations at Ossining’s Hudson Valley Books for Humanity.