Please note band size can range from a duet up to six players.
We shape our size and sound to your preferences
Trad Roots and New Beats
to move the heart and feet
The multi-faceted Jewish heritage comes alive for today’s audiences through the band’s innovative, rhythmic, and exciting interpretations of Ashkenazic and Sephardic music. They’re really 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 simple, fun line and circle dances. M’chaiya also brings percussion and encourages the audience to join the musicians on stage to play along. Yiddish-lyric swing favorites, like Bei Mir Bistu Schein, are a highlight. When requested, Big Band style dance music, acoustic 50s-style rock, early Beatles songs, and various types of World Music can be added to the mix.
Unique instrumentation
Chicagoland’s first revival Klezmer band shapes its distinctive sound with mandolin, violin, Balkan flute, guitar, and percussion. Accordion, bass, trumpet, trombone, and drum set can be added. Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, French, Turkish (!) and English lyrics, sung in two-part harmonies, complement the instrumental pieces.
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 parties. Engagements have included tours of Denmark, 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!
Top Left Duet Photo:
from left to right: Jutta Distler, Terran Doehrer.
Photo by Wally Reichert.
Photo ©2001, Modal Music, Inc. (tm). All rights reserved.
Bottom Left Trio Photo:
from left to right: Zoļ Doehrer, Terran Doehrer, Jutta Distler.
Photo ©2009, Modal Music, Inc. (tm). All rights reserved.
Right Quartet Photo - above:
from left to right: (Standing) Jutta Distler, Zoļ Doehrer,
(Kneeling) Velizar Shumanov, Terran Doehrer.
Photo by Rumiana Shumanov.
Photo ©2009, Modal Music, Inc. (tm). All rights reserved.