Album Notes

ABOUT THE CD........

Kol Haruach live in concert, Annapolis MD, November 6, 2005. A live recording including both Klezmer (played with our unique Jazzy flare) and True Swing (dance Jazz).

Kol Haruach is a Klezmer band, but we play a lot of different music. This concert recording included more than just Klezmer music. Many listeners are delighted at its eclectic content. The repertoire went back and fourth from Klezmer to Jazz, and finally concluded with Jazz. As you will hear, we love to mix it up. It is our trademark, and it is one aspect of our sound that distinguishes us from other bands.

During this concert, we started out with our Klezmer standards and originals, and then got playful and decided to bring on the Jazz. Eventually, toward the end of the night, we came back to the Klezmer, but ended with two wonderful Jazz numbers, Night And Day and Brazil.

About ½ way through the concert, we decided to go improv. The band had not played either Georgia or Night And Day in a long time, but I decided to give the audience an idea of what the band was really like impromptu. So I explained the plan to the audience and we threw in those tunes. The drum solo leading into It Don’t Mean A Thing was also spur of the moment. I love the spontaneity, and I think the audience got a kick out of it, too. Ironically, I think Georgia is one of the best tunes on the album.

This recording demonstrates the band's energy, but it also allows the listener to enjoy the flexibility and diversity we are known for in our repertoire. We hope you enjoy it.

(This album was recorded live by an exceptional recording artist,
Ronnie Queen of Baltimore, MD.)

ABOUT THE BAND.......

Kol Haruach is a virtuosic and creative band that plays parties, private galas, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, festivals and other special events and festivities.

The way the Band initially started is an essential part of why they play the way they do. Each member of the band is an accomplished, seasoned and successful musician in his/her own right.

Brian Choper – Drums/Percussion
Fred Jacobowitz -- Clarinet/Saxophone
Vladimir Gamarnik -- Violin
Harry Appelman -- Piano/Keyboard
Ephriam Wolfolk -- Bass
Juleen Stacy -- Vocals

It all began in 2001 when they came together to jam at the Lansing Michigan Jazz Festival . They liked the music, the sound and the groove so much, they decided to form a band. Brian Choper, manager of several other music groups and this band's drummer, became manager of what was then to be called the Kol Haruach Orchestra, and soon thereafter changed to the Kol Haruach Klezmer Band; Kol Haruach translates to "Voice of the Spirit".

Over the next year, the band played various concerts and private affairs, while working behind the scenes to fine-tune their distinctive sound. The talent of the band was clear; the question was how to take advantage of it. While they worked with Israeli, Klezmer, contemporary Jazz, Swing and Latin, they wanted to experiment with the jazz standards and compose their own music so as to provide specific moments for each member to share their individual talents in the spotlight. As they experimented, they discovered the elements that became the basis for their unique sound as well as their chemistry as a band of musicians.

Kol Haruach’s performance style has become its trademark; the Band chooses the appropriate style depending on the occasion of the performance or the atmosphere requested by the client. These include their Klezmer "hora" or energetic Jewish party style, their concert performance style where each musician takes turns soloing the melody; and their Jazz style that shows off their playfulness with improvisational American Jazz and Swing.

The hora (party) style is typically played at weddings and other simchas. The concert style is more arranged and formal. Designed for the stage, it allows the individual musicians to be specifically featured. The Jazz brings the band back to its roots; Kol Haruach plays with improvisation and spontaneity - never arranged. Jazz is almost always requested and is mixed into the repertoire no matter where the Band plays.

People say that we breathe life into our performances through our witty commentary and interactions with the audience which often dances in the aisles.

Also check out our sister bands The New Klezmer Quintet, The Choper Jazz Project, The Jazz Connection, and The Nexus Rock Band