ArtistInfo

Di Gojim

Band,
Folk

For more than 25 years, Di Gojim has been causing a sensation with its very own interpretation of klezmer. Klezmer is a rich mixture of Eastern European folk styles, as well as Jewish and Gypsy music. Music for the joyous occasions of life but also for the sad moments. Di Gojim has won international acclaim and is widely regarded as one of the best klezmer bands in the world. In the Netherlands, Di Gojim plays in all the best known theaters. Abroad, the group plays at festivals and theatres from Berlin to Budapest, from Madrid to Mexico City. Even by special invitation on Broadway- the Great White Way of New York. Wherever they perform, their public responds enthusiastically to their musical outpouring of melancholy and subtle humor. This season Di Gojim is on stage with Portuguese-Masai singer Romi Anauel. 'Klez-sur-Mer' is the title of this new project. Romi Anauel is wellknown in Portugal and Spain by 'Terrakota' and 'Romi and the Soldiers of Ra'. The klezmer orchestra Di Gojim was formed in 1988. Six young enthusiastic musicians immersed themselves in the then-unkown Yiddish klezmer music. This music was a mixture of Eastern-European folk styles, gypsy music and Jewish music. The story of Jewish people in the diaspora echoes in this unique genre. Grief, joy and humor sign the songs and dances. Joy never without a melancholic undertone and grief never without a spark of humor. Klezmer music has in all times and all places adapted to the environment where it was played. In Poland the klezmer musicians performed for the gentry and in Romania for local villagers. Thus they took over melodies and styles out of other cultures and incorporated it in their own music. Along with the emigration to America changed the music. "Jazzy" elements, circus music and show styles became part of the repertoire of the klezmer musician. Di Gojim doesn't only master this style, but created with the spirit of klezmer a whole sub-genre of their own. Modern time and place affected the music. Writers like Ivo de Wijs en Herman Pieter de Boer were inspired by Yiddish and Eastern-European folk music. And thus a new wave of klezmer was risen, contemporary and less drowned in nostalgia. With this new crossover Di Gojim storms the theaters. The shows "Oostenwind", "Ergens", "De Muur" and the anniversary show "15 Jaar" were performed in all of the Netherland's big theatres. Klezmer was playfully exposed to children with 'family shows' as "Brandwein Brider" and "De WegWeg". Nevertheless, Di Gojim stays true to traditional klezmer and 'blasts' at private parties, weddings and other occasions.

Members

	Tseard Nauta
	Sjaak van der Reijden tr, p
	Jaap Mulder voc, cl
	Bente Kahan g, voc
	Eric Roelofsen tb, tu
	Vincent Knaven perc, cym
	Jacob Sijtsma acc