Who Are The Klezmatics and What Kind of Music Do They Play?

Updated

The Klezmatics are a New York–born klezmer band that has spent four decades blending Yiddish soul with punk, gospel, jazz, and folk. They are the only klezmer band ever to win a Grammy, and their music is defined by ecstatic dance rhythms, poetic Yiddish lyrics, and a mix of tradition and rebellion. If you want to understand what klezmer can sound like as a living, contemporary art form—joyful, defiant, and danceable—they are the reference point.

What kind of music do they play?

Their sound is rooted in klezmer, the instrumental and vocal tradition of Eastern European Jewish communities, but it is not a museum piece. The band layers that foundation with:

  • Punk energy — raw, driving performance rather than polite revivalism
  • Gospel and jazz — call-and-response, improvisation, and big emotional swells
  • Folk — singable melodies and storytelling
  • Yiddish lyrics — poetry that carries humor, wit, and spiritual weight

The result, as described on their site, is “catchy, pulse-quickening party tunes and heart-warming melodies.” The Jewish Chronicle put it plainly: “just try to watch them and not a) weep or b) stop yourself dancing.”

Why do they matter beyond the music?

The Klezmatics formed in New York’s East Village in 1986 and helped turn klezmer into a living art form. Their reach extends well past the concert stage:

Area Examples from their career
Collaborations Itzhak Perlman, Chava Alberstein, Arlo Guthrie, Tony Kushner, Joshua Nelson, Allen Ginsberg
Theatre & dance A Dybbuk, Pilobolus Dance Theatre
Film & television PBS’s Great Performances, HBO’s Sex and the City
Recognition Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album
Touring Five continents, major halls and festivals worldwide

Their work bridges spirituality and subversion, and their activist roots run through everything they do—connecting Yiddish tradition to contemporary global stories.

What are they doing now?

The band is marking its 40th anniversary with a new album, We Were Made for These Times, and a 2026–27 touring season. According to their website, the season includes reimagined classics, multicultural collaborations, and seasonal celebrations, honoring “a legacy built on rhythm, justice, and unshakable joy.”

Time Out New York summed up their live reputation: “On a good night, they can rank among the greatest bands on the planet.”

Who should listen?

  • New to klezmer? Start here—their mix of tradition and modern edge makes the genre immediately accessible.
  • Already a fan of Yiddish culture? Their catalog shows how far the tradition can stretch without losing its soul.
  • Looking for music with a point of view? Their activism and collaborations place them in a lineage of artists who treat joy and justice as connected.

If you want to follow upcoming performances and releases, the site offers a newsletter signup for exactly that.