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Klezmerson

Going through old pictures from Sarajevo reminded us of our meeting with Klezmerson during the 22nd Sarajevo Jazz Fest. That is why today we listen to an unqualified type of music, where Balkan and gypsy rhythms are mixed with Klezmer - Jewish traditional music. All that is seen through the Mexican point of view of Benjamin Shwartz and his band Klezmerson.

The band was formed at the start of 2003. Shwartz - a fan of John Zorn’s music, decided to mix traditional, purely Mexican rhythms with Klezmer, and to look at everything through that prism. Years go by, and he accidentally meets Cyro Baptista - Zorn’s percussionist, who changes the course of the history of the band. Baptista introduces the musicians to Zorn, and that is how in 2015 one of the albums from the Book of Dreams series by Zorn gets recorded - Amon. More recordings follow, including Klezmerson’s participation in Zorn’s latest big project - Book Beriah.

Our live meeting begins at the 22nd edition of the Sarajevo Jazz Fest with the marathon at the Sarajevo military theatre with Zorn’s previous album - Book of dreams. There, in the course of the marathon - one brilliantly conducted bacchanalia between the pros from Masada Quartet and Banquet of the Spirits, appeared Klezmerson. And Zorn just introduced them as Mexicans, that aren’t known in our neck of the woods. The first few chords were enough for an eruption. Here we take note of the specific charm of the bass - how the delicate lady Carina Lopez holds together a male dominated band, that is going full force. Just something on top.

As participants in this unforgettable day, during which we listen to some of the best pieces from Book of Dreams by Zorn, Klezmerson just played music. Honestly and from the heart. There was untangling of violin strings as part of the performance, as well as a bunch of fun other situations. Fresh and emotional. With an understanding of the music. You can read some more about that time in Sarajevo here.

And today - two examples of the Mexican-Jewish-Balkan connection in Zorn’s music, also known as Klezmerson from Mexico.

First we have Amon.

The second is more recent Reshimu Live session.

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