Aliza and the KGB (Klezmer Gypsy Boys) deliver Klezmer music with a Gypsy
heart.
Aliza Amihude's expressive voice and theatrical presence blend perfectly
with Eli Herscovitch's smooth clarinet and sax-playing like a bagel with cream
cheese. Timothy J. Butler, Daniel Koulack, and Ariel Posen make up a
world-class string section.
Aliza and the KGB, the best Klezmer Gypsy band in the world, was formed
last decade when like minds and hearts began to harmonize the Black Sea with
the Red Sea, and Dundee with des Champs d’Elysée, brilliantly blending a
winning class of World Music.
This Winnipeg-based band’s repetoire includes original Klezmer and Gypsy
tunes, Jazz standards translated into Yiddish, French Swing Tunes, and Russian
Folk Songs. Aliza and the KGB’s
excellent musicianship and lively
performance will resonate in your heart for years.
Aliza Amihude – Vocals
Born in St. Boniface, Manitoba
and raised in Winnipeg on Nana Maskouri, Jaques Brel, and Yemenite prayers,
Aliza has been singing odd songs in various voices since she was a young
child. Singing professionally since 2000 as Small Girl with co-composer Jeff Presslaff,
their latest CD, Big Banana, was released and performed at Burning Man
2008. She has performed at the
Calgary Arts Centre, in Montreal, and at several
theatres and clubs in Winnipeg for festivals and self-produced shows. Amihude has
lived in several countries, is 4’10’’ and speaks 4 languages.
Eli Herscovitch – Woodwinds
Founding member of Juno-nominated Finjan Klezmer band for
15 years; performed with Sid Robinovitch at Gala New Music Festival with
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra; Manitoba Arts Council grant recipient to develop
biographical stories from eastern Europe with classical and contemporary music;
dance band leader for 25 years; developed and performed four different concerts
at Music & Mavens series; and performed in the orchestra for the live
musical theatre production "Strike".
Ariel Posen - Guitar
Very highly-demanded guitarist in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Just released a CD with Jazz singer Sophie Berkal-Sarbit, he has currently been
playing Ron Paley, Tara Oram, "Clique Girlz" singer Sara Diamond, his
own group Groovy Moustache and more. He is also the Musical Director of the
Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble. He has played the Jazz Winnipeg Festival and
the Winnipeg Folk Festivals, and has toured Canada and the USA.
Timothy J. Butler – Guitar, Violin
Performed at Jazz Winnipeg and Winnipeg Folk Festivals;
collaborated with many musicians including Lou Pride and James Cotton; plays
regularly at many clubs all around Manitoba; traveled throughout Europe to
study the guitar styles of Django Reinhardt, Gypsy music, and Celtic
finger-picking. Wrote, played, and recorded 5 CD’s of his original acoustic
music.
Daniel Koulack – Acoustic bass
Made his professional debut on the banjo at age twelve at
the Winnipeg Folk Festival. He keeps busy as a multi-instrumentalist, producer,
arranger and composer; performed and recorded with the Winnipeg Symphony;
appeared at the WSO's Centera New Music Festival ; toured with Finjan, Swing
Soniq, Both Ends of the Earth, and the Knappen Street All-Star Band.