American culture

Klezmer

Klezmer is a style of Jewish music that came to the United States through Ashkenazi Jews immigrating from Eastern Europe. The United States soon became a major center for klezmer development. Klezmer remains rooted in the music of Eastern Europe, especially the Yiddish-speaking peoples of Romania, Ukraine, Poland and Russia.

The klezmorim were travelling musicians who played for weddings and other events in Eastern Europe. Their ensembles (kapelyes) were often based around families, and were usually based on string instruments, led by a violin. In the 19th century, the clarinet replaced the violin as the lead instrument, creating an important element of modern klezmer.

By the middle of the 1920s, more than three million Eastern European Jews arrived in New York City through Ellis Island. These included such legends as Dave Tarras. In 1917, Abe Schwartz signed to Columbia Records and Harry Kandel signed to Victor Records; this was the beginning of modern popular klezmer.