Klezmer rebels are back in town

Whanganui Jazz Club welcomes Wellington’s Klezmer Rebels to the St John’s stage for their penultimate gig of the 2024 season.

For those unfamiliar with the Rebs’ show, it can best be described as “an entertaining, fun evening of songs, improvisation, storytelling and the opportunity to learn things you never knew.”

Band leader David Weinstein offers a teaser when he says: “The Rebs are still going strong after 22 years, having been invited back to the Whanganui Jazz Club after a rousing performance last year.

“If you missed it, you’ve heard about it. If you were there, you would want to be there again. We’re bringing back our favorite freiliches (wedding dances), bulgars (with that catchy 1-2-3/1-2-3/1-2 kick rhythm), and jazz swing numbers from the old country.

“What does a klezmer country swing song sound like? Come and find out. Refresh your Italian Neapolitan, cry with your dark Russian eyes and become a Servant of the People. Learn a few words of Yiddish, listen to old Ladino melodies and enjoy beautiful improvisation and vocal harmonies,” he said.