Album Notes

The Casco Bay Tummlers, from Portland, Maine, have been performing klezmer music for 15 years. they have released two recordings and were also featured perfomers on the LL Bean Holiday CD. In 1999 they created and performed ther music for the world premiere of "Manifest" at Portland Stage Company. In March of 2000, the tummlers performed to sold-out houses in berlin and Chemnitz, Germany. In May and June of that year, they toured in Lithuania where they were featured performers at the Skamba, Skamba Kankliai folk festival. "Jumpin Jewpiter" was recorded just after returning from that tour.

The Tummlers have a unique sound and a stage performance that features all members of the band. Danny Mills soulful clarinet playing has been compared with Andy Statman and Dave Tarras. Carl Dimow has developed a unique klezmer flute style, making the instrument an equal solo voice in the music. Julie Goell has a rich background in theater and jazz that comes out in both her bass playing and her vocal features. Nancy 3. Hoffman brings a playfulness which audiences love to both her accordion playing and her singing. Hayes Porterfield is not only a great player on drumset, but one of the few people keeping the klezmer xylophone tradition alive.

The band's repertoire is versatile, ranging from original music to traditional dances and Yiddish theater and ghetto songs - all with original arrangements.