klezmer
what it is
Klezmer (from Yiddish כּלי־זמיר, kley - instrument and zemer - song; etymologically from Hebrew k'li zemer כלי זמר, "musical instrument") is a musical tradition which parallels Hasidic and Ashkenazic Judaism. Around the 15th century, a tradition of secular (non-liturgical) Jewish music was developed by musicians called klezmorim or kleyzmurim. They draw on devotional traditions extending back into Biblical times, and their musical legacy of klezmer continues to evolve today.
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level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
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questions
What is klezmer?
Klezmer (from Yiddish כּלי־זמיר, kley - instrument and zemer - song; etymologically from Hebrew k'li zemer כלי זמר, "musical instrument") is a musical tradition which parallels Hasidic and Ashkenazic Judaism. Around the 15th century, a tradition of secular (non-liturgical) Jewish music was developed by musicians called klezmorim or kleyzmurim. They draw on devotional traditions extending back into Biblical times, and their musical legacy of klezmer continues to evolve today.
What are good klezmer albums to start with?
Try For the First Time by Black Country, New Road, Ver Tanzt? by Black Ox Orkestar, Yiddish-American Klezmer Music - 1925-1956 by Dave Tarras, and Foua by Municipale Balcanica.
Who are some women making klezmer?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/klezmer/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making klezmer, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20