Top Photo:
Photo of Ensemble M’chaiya (tm) as a duet - from left to right: Jutta Distler, Terran Doehrer. Photo by Wally Reichert.
© 2003 Modal Music, Inc. (tm)
All rights reserved.
2nd Photo:
Ensemble M’chaiya (tm) as a trio. From left to right: Zoï Doehrer, Jutta Distler, Terran Doehrer.
Photo by Dan Tong.
Photo ©2010 Modal Music, Inc. (tm).
All rights reserved.
3rd Photo:
Ensemble M’chaiya (tm) as a quintet - From top to bottom, left to right: Steve Hart, Peter Bartels, Terran Doehrer, Zoï Doehrer, Jutta Distler.
Photo by Jim Godsey.
Photo ©2010 Modal Music, Inc. (tm)
All rights reserved.
4th Photo:
Ensemble M’chaiya (tm) as a duet. From left to right: Jutta Distler, Terran Doehrer.
Photo by Dan Tong.
Photo ©2007, Modal Music, Inc. (tm).
All rights reserved.
Bottom Photo:
Ensemble M’chaiya (tm) as a quartet. From left to right: (standing) Jutta Distler, Zoï Doehrer, (kneeling) Terran Doehrer, Velizar Shumanov.
Photo ©2009, Modal Music, Inc. (tm).
All rights reserved.
Web design, photos, video, and text © 2011, Modal Music, Inc. (tm).
All rights reserved.
Sound recordings performance rights Modal Music, Inc. (tm).
All rights reserved.
"Ensemble M’chaiya", "M’chaiya", "Modal Music", and "Chicagoland’s Original Klezmer Band" are all trademarks of Modal Music, Inc. (tm).
All rights reserved.
A life-giving pleasure:
quality music at
reasonable prices
Ensemble M’chaiya (tm)
Chicagoland’s Original Klezmer Band (tm) Since 1983
Trad Roots and New Beats
The multi-faceted Jewish heritage comes alive for today’s audiences through the band’s innovative, rhythmic, and exciting Gypsy-esque interpretations of Ashkenazic and Sephardic music.
Groove to hot Klezmer melodies, bitter-sweet Yiddish songs, exotic Sephardic songs in Ladino and French, as well as rhythmic Israeli dance songs in Hebrew, Big Band tunes, World Music, and more …
Dancing with your heart and feet
M’chaiya really is a m’chaiya and their energy is infectious, so they make sure everyone’s feet get moving in the right direction by leading folks through easy, fun line and circle dances, when space permits.
The band also brings percussion and encourages the audience to join with the musicians in the music making. Sing-a-longs to favorite songs, like the Yiddish-lyric swing hit Bei Mir Bistu Schein, are a fun option.
Unique instrumentation
Chicagoland’s first revival Klezmer band shapes its distinctive sound with mandolin, violin, Balkan flute, guitar, and percussion. And that’s just the core trio! Acoustic bass, trumpet / saxophone, and trombone can be added. Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, French, Turkish (!) and English lyrics, sung in two-part harmonies, complement the instrumental pieces.
Shape the size and sound
to your preferences
From a duet up to six pieces, you get the right size band for your interests and budget! When requested, in addition to the band’s diverse Jewish repertoire, Big Band style dance music, acoustic 50s-style rock, early Beatles songs, and various types of World Music can be added to the mix. Please note that, when requested, male-only vocals are offered.
Klezmer for the world
Since January 1983 the Ensemble M’chaiya has pleased audiences in concert, at festivals, schools, universities, synagogues, clubs, corporate events, and private parties. Engagements have included European tours, Chicago’s P.O.C.E.T. Jewish Festival, a special “Thanks to Scandinavia” commemoration program, National Public Radio, as well as opening a concert for Israel’s famous singer, Yehoram Gaon.
The Ensemble M’chaiya is ready to be a m’chaiya for you!
Band members teaching and leading a dance at a private party.
Short CD Samplers