KlezFactor

World / Jazz / Experimental

North York, Canada

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About

Toronto's KlezFactor blends rock, jazz, klezmer and classical chamber music for a modern fusion of musical worlds. KlezFactor's first album, The Golem of Bathurst Manor, has garnered critical and audience acclaim and was hailed by Wholenote Magazine as "daring and creative." Keith Wolzinger of the Klezmer Podcast wrote that "KlezFactor takes us to their world of first-rate musicianship, dynamic improvisation and innovative arrangements."
Influenced by the Klezmatics, Hasidic New Wave, John Zorn, and other contemporary jazz artists, KlezFactor emphasizes group improvisation, the melding of contemporary musical genres and original composition.

KlezFactor has performed all over Toronto, notably to enthusiastic crowds at Toronto's venerable jazz venue, The Rex Hotel, as well as smaller venues like the Renaissance Café, Tranzac Club, The Bagel, and the Concord Café. KlezFactor is a regular band at the popular "Bella, Did Ya Eat?" Brunch at the Free Times Café and in September of 2006, they performed a set of original music at the Ashkenaz Festival at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre. They have also performed at several City of Toronto events including Wintercity 2007, in Toronto's City Hall at Nathan Phillips Square, and the city's "Tuesday Night Live" summer festival in 2006 and 2007 at the 1500-seat Barry Zukerman Amphitheatre at Earl Bales Park. They are just coming off a concert series in early 2008 following performances at the Factory Theatre in downtown Toronto.

KlezFactor's music has been heard around the world, with traditional radio play in Canada, the United States and Russia. They have also been heard on internet radio via "Radio Free Klezmer" and Canada's CBC Radio 3. Music from The Golem of Bathurst Manor has been featured in podcasts in the USA and Spain, as well as in DJ sets by dj tagada in Paris, France, and in a viral video for Jewish Mayhem Magazine.

Led by accomplished saxophonist/clarinetist Mike Anklewicz, KlezFactor features exciting young musicians with diverse musical backgrounds, including progressive jazz musician Ali Berkok (keyboards) who leads Arkana Music; world music fusion artist Jaro Dabrowski (guitars); rock and jazz bassist Michael Smith; celtic, rock and jazz fiddler Ben Plotnick; and jazz, funk and rock drummer David MacDougall.

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Comments(5)

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Monster America, May 16, 2008:

Thanks for the kind words, big ups to you.

Cheers

Opus Flume, May 14, 2008:

Great stuff; . . & as always what a pleasure to hear the good old "Fun Tashlich" !
Marvellous.

Gagosian Liga, Feb 16, 2008:

"We all admire the spangled acrobat with classical grace meticulously walking his tight rope in the talcum light; but how much rarer art there is in the sagging rope expert wearing scarecrow clothes and impersonating a grotesque drunk! I should know." (Vladimir Nabokov)
Thank you for your friendship! Musical greetings from Munich/Germany!
Feel free to download my music!