The New School News

From Klezmer to Classical: David Krakauer in Performance

From modern klezmer music to classical music with the American Symphony Orchestra, David Krakauer, a faculty member at Mannes College The New School for Music is a clarinetist known for his versatility.

“I am always drawn to artists who are searching for meaning, willing to explore the boundaries of style and genre, work with and collect the most remarkable partners in performance, and have the chops to play anything. David Krakauer is all that,” said Richard Kessler, Dean of Mannes.

Krakauer’s performance career focused on jazz and classical music, earning him a Naumburg Chamber Music award (as member of Aspen Wind Quartet) in 1984, and a Concert Artists Guild Award in 1985. In 1988 he joined the Klezmatics and in 1996 found himself forming his own band Klezmer Madness! In 2006, Krakauer and rapper Socalled formed the band Abraham Inc. with trombonist Fred Wesley.

Between gigs with his own bands, Krakauer could be found serving as principal clarinetist with New Haven Symphony, Martha Graham Ballet, and the American Ballet Theater. He has made recordings on Nonesuch, Opus One, CRI, Flying Fish Angel (with Itzhak Perlman and Klezmatics) and Musical Heritage label.

The week of September 24, finds Krakauer at the music club The Stone (located at the corner of Avenue C and 2nd Street) celebrating the artistic director John Zorn’s 60th birthday. Zorn, is an avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and close friend of Krakauer.

“I’ve known John Zorn since 1992 when he invited me to perform his music at the Art Project festival in Munich. It was on this occasion that the ‘Radical Jewish Culture’ movement was launched, “ Krakauer said. “Now, in celebration of John’s 60th birthday, I’m thrilled to be performing for a week at his legendary performance space. It will be a unique opportunity for me to offer a retrospective of many of my major projects that range from improvisation-drenched klezmer to experimental classical to much that falls in between the cracks.

“For Mannes, we’re fortunate to have him as a faculty member and friend and this amazing week at The Stone is something everyone who loves music should be sure to attend” Kessler concurred.

Krakauer weeklong residency at The Stone includes:

Tuesday, September 24, at 8:00 & 10:00 p.m.
Krakauer’s Acoustic Klezmer Quartet
Unplugged versions of Krakauer’s klezmer repertoire ranging from his own quirky originals to traditional tunes.
David Krakauer (clarinets) Will Holshouser (accordion) Jerome Harris (bass) Michael Sarin (percussion)
Admission: $10

Wednesday, September 25, at 8:00 & 10:00 p.m.
Krakauer Plays Zorn
Krakauer’s arrangements of pieces specially selected for David Krakauer by John Zorn from the third Book of Angels.
David Krakauer (clarinet) Sheryl Bailey (guitar) Jerome Harris (electric bass, vocals) Michael Sarin (drums) Keepalive (sampler)
Admission: $10

Thursday, September 26, at 8:00 & 10:00 p.m.
Ancestral Groove
Loops, grooves and ecstatic improvisation celebrate the earthy side of Krakauer’s ancestry.
David Krakauer (clarinet) Sheryl Bailey (guitar) Jerome Harris (electric bass, vocals) Michael Sarin (drums) Keepalive (sampler)
Admission: $10

Friday, September 27, at 8:00 & 10:00 p.m.
Krakauer -Tagg Duo
Krakauer joins up with the South African pianist, arranger and musical explorer Kathleen Tagg in an evening of classical music, new composition and electronica.
David Krakauer (clarinets) Kathleen Tagg (piano, electronics) with special guest Will Holshouser (accordion)
Admission: $20

Saturday, September 28, at 8:00 & 10:00 p.m.
Duo And Trio Improvisations
Krakauer is joined by former Kronos cellist Jeff Zeigler, new music soprano extraordinaire Helga Davis and violinist/electronics wizard Todd Reynolds for an evening of new composition and improvisation.
Admission: $20

Sunday, September 29, at 8:00 & 10:00 p.m.
Krakauer With Strings
Krakauer has assembled an all-star string quartet to play Osvaldo Golijov’s monumental “Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind” (performed in both sets) plus arrangements and improvisations.
David Krakauer (clarinet, bass clarinet) Neal Dufallo and Abigale Reisman (violins) Margaret Dyer (viola) Jeff Zeigler (cello)
Admission: $20