From the vanguard of new Jewish music, the Klez-X brings an evening of unbridled innovation, amazing virtuosity, and irresistible soul.

The phenomenal group of virtuosos known as the Klez-X (formerly The San Francisco Klezmer Experience) mines the rich depths of klezmer, Yiddish folk and art song, and modern jazz to create a brilliantly original sound. Their groundbreaking work includes new compositions, intriguing reinterpretations of traditional pieces, improvisations, effervescent vocal work, and modernist settings of 20th century Yiddish literature by poets such as Moishe-Leyb Halpern, Itzik Manger, and Avraham Sutzkever.

Based in the Bay Area, the birthplace of the 1970's klezmer revival and home to one of the country's most progressive and fertile music scenes, the Klez-X boasts an all-star roster of highly versatile and innovative musicians. Founded by violinist and composer Daniel Hoffman, the band includes reed player Sheldon Brown, Yiddish singer and accordionist Jeanette Lewicki, bassist Richard Saunders, vocalist and trumpeter Stephen Saxon, trombonist Charlie Seavey, and will be joined by guest percussionist Alan Hall.

The Klez-X performs internationally at numerous music festivals, including the Ashkenaz Festival of New Yiddish Culture in Toronto, the SF Jazz Festival, and Germany's prestigious Schleiswig-Holstein Festival. The group has also performed with the acclaimed Yiddish singer and conductor, Michael Tilson Thomas, who says this of the Klez-X: "This extraordinary group has absolutely captivated my imagination, knocked my socks off--what more can I say?"

This will be Daniel Hoffman's only Bay Area performance on his visit from Tel Aviv, where he recently released a new CD with Trio Carpion, a new theatrical-musical ensemble playing Ashkenazi and other Eastern-European music. Daniel will be teaching a Klezmer Violin workshop on Thursday, August 12, at 7:30 pm..

Visit The Kez-X website

Listen to a track from The Klex-X: