• Thomas Betts — Double bass, mandolin
• Lucy Hibberd — Bass clarinet, alto sax
• Mabon Jones — Violin, electric guitar
• Sharissa Lee – Violin
• Alice Roberts — Clarsach, cajon
• Isabel Sanchez — Piano
• Dominic Skingle — Viola, cajon
• Dan(iel) Springate — Cello (voice), electric bass, cajon
• Alicia Swaby — Flute.

The 2015-16 Generation of the Michael Kahan Kapelye

 

This generation comprises:

• Xander Baker (cello and accordion)
• Katherine Blumer (clarinet)
• Eliorah Goodman (flute and piccolo)
• Meabh Kennedy (fiddle)
• Matthew Lomax (guitar)
• Anna Mitchyn (flute and piccolo)
• Jenny Parker (flute and tenor sax)
• Pip Sayers (soprano sax and voice)
• Hayley Suviste (clarinet)
• Lydia Thompson (fiddle)
• Naomi Waverley-Hudson (fiddle)
• Helena Wynn (viola)

The performances given by this MKK generation include:

• 10th December, 2015 – 7.30pm at the Gathering of the Klezmorim for Chanukah hosted by the Manchester Jewish Museum.
• 10th March, 2016 – 7.00pm at the Zombie Shack as supported by a combined Ibbergerblibbernis (MKK 2013-14) + Dos Lebn Iz a Shpas (MKK 2014-15)
• 17th March, 2016 – 1.10pm in the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, Martin Harris Centre, The University of Manchester (assessed performance) — review

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The assessed performance comprised the following items:

• Mekhutonim Tsum Tish (unassessed)
• Misirlou (arranged by Hayley and Jenny)
• A Freylekhs Nokh Der Khupe / Boybriker (arranged by Anna and Lydia)
• Fun Der Khupe / Zemer Atik / Sherele (arranged by Matt and Meabh)
• La Rose Enflorece / Dancing on Water (arranged by Eliorah and Naomi)
• Papirosn / Shver un Shviger Tants (arranged by Helena and Xander)
• Son (arranged by Katherine and Pip)

From left to right: Imogen ‘Immy’ Trinder (flute, piccolo, alto sax, percussion, voice); Lucy Foster (fiddle, voice); Pierre Flasse (trombone, vocals); (seated) Ruth Wang (piano, voice); Rowan Warner-Leicester (banjo, voice); Sophie Harvey (flute, piccolo, percussion, voice), Eleanor ‘Ellie’  Jackson (flute, piccolo, alto flute, percussion, voice); and Rob Corrin (saxes, voice).

This generation of klezmorim played for:

• the “Gathering of the klezmorim for Chunkah” concert at the Manchester Jewish Museum on December 7th;
• their ‘dress rehearsal’, at the Slug and Lettuce (Didsbury) on April 19th; and
• their assessed lunch-time concert in the Martin Harris Centre on April 30th, 2015.

There seems to be enthusiasm for them to continue – watch this space.

Michael Kahan Kapelye (2013-14)

From left to right: Charlotte Silver (horn); Anna Lowenstein (fiddle); Grace Burn (fiddle); Rob Foot (clarinet and saxes); Jack Fearn (saxes); Jeremy Salter (oboe and flute); Frankie McCormick (clarinet); Sarah Faulkner (flute); and Leonore Hibou (flute and piano).

This ensemble photo was taken at a pre-assessment ‘dress rehearsal’ gig at the Wahlbar in Fallowfield (Manchester) on March 13th, 2014.

Most members of this cohort of MKK klezmorim went on to form the Fermishte Klezmer Band which performed at the“Gathering of the klezmorim for Chanukah” at theManchester Jewish Museum on December 7th, 2014.

Some performers have also taken part in ad hoc events such as music-stimulated reminiscence sessions at the Heathlands Residential Care Home.

Josh Dawson (piano accordion); Dan Mawson (clarinet); Hat Wells (clarinet); (seated) Tori Brandwood (flute); Lucie Phillips (bass, vocals), Pippa Goodall (fiddle, vocals), Isa Jaward (flute); Jemima Kingsland (flute); and Berdel Gulsen (clarinet).

We don’t have a good photo of this cohort of MKK-ers. In the picture (left), George Turner (trombone) is missing (but see L’chaim Kapelye photo below) and the cohort is joined by ‘old hands’  from the previous cohort (i.e. Josh Dawson and Berdel Gulsen).

Seven of the 2012-13 cohort went on to form L’chaim Kapelye:  Pippa, Jemima, Dan, Lucie, Ellie, George, and Hat. The LCK websitegives a full treatment of the band including photos, sound clips, album information, past gig listings, and performer biographies.

Performing at Inspire Levenshulme in March 2012, from left to right: John Bungay (fiddle); Phoebe Garrett (piano); ‘Iris’ Su-Ya Yeh (cello); Emily Clarke (bass); Josh Dawson (piano accordion); George Boomsma (guitar, vocal); Sara Howell (flute, piccolo); Sam Marine (flute); Vicky Caine (clarinet); and Berdel Gulsen (clarinet).