ENSEMBLE
M’CHAIYA

CONCERTS, FESTS, FINE ARTS & MORE

Engaging, audience-pleasing, interactive, all-ages public performance programs

Traditional Roots and Gypsy Beats to move the heart and feet!

Put your audience’s soul in touch with their soles! The uplifting energy of Chicagoland’s first revival Klezmer band will get hearts and feet dancing to its eclectic repertoire of hot Klezmer tunes with Gypsy grooves, swinging Sephardic and Yiddish songs, and energetic Israeli dance tunes.

Click for videos of the band playing!

“… listeners will find it hard to keep from leaping up to dance” so, when asked, the band leads audience members thru fun yet easy trad circle / line dances. (All while playing an instrument at the same time!) So, whether you need an audience-rocking main-stage act or a band that knows how to get folks dancing in Workshops, this band provides suitable entertainment for every setting.

To make sure folks connect with the powerful roots music, the audience is encouraged to drum along on percussion as well as sing along. Everyone, from toddlers to seniors, get to join in the very accessible fun!

Ensemble M’chaiya leading a circle of dancers at the Chicago Winery. — The band loves leading folks through fun yet simple traditional line and circle dances and encourages everyone to drum and sing along as well.

Unique instrumentation

This may be the only Klezmer band in the world using a Kaval (end-blown Bulgarian Flute) as a main instrument! The core instrumentation also includes Mandolin, Violin, Guitar, (both Balkan drums) and Percussion along with two vocalists. From there you may choose additional musicians including a saxophonist, a bassist, and other instrument options.

Most of our musicians are multi-instrumentalists, a fact which allows the band to create an ever changing color, but whatever the sound, every number grabs attention, gets feet tapping, urging folks to dance.

Band size can range from a powerful, budget-pleasing duet or trio up to a slamming six-piece band that will energize the largest crowd. Whatever size you choose, you’ll get the right size band to match your interests and budget!

Still life of instruments played by the Ensemble M’chaiya: Mandolin, Guitar, Darabuka, Tupan, Kaval. — Instruments played by the Ensemble M’chaiya: Mandolin, Guitar, Darabuka, Tupan, and Kaval.

Klezmer and Sephardic music for the world

The Ensemble M’chaiya* gives substance to the meaning of its name by playing it your way! If you don’t see what you are looking for, contact us! Our presentations are very flexible and customizable.

Whether in America, Canada, or Europe, whether on a major festival stage or in a home for an intimate private party (as well as anything in between), the band’s high quality music, distinctive sound, attention to details that are important to you, and reasonable prices will be a ”life giving pleasure” for you.

* In Yiddish, “m’chaiya” means “A life-giving pleasure”

Mayor Daley’s 2003 Klezmer Day Proclamation document which honored Ensemble M’chaiya and Terran Doehrer for being the first revival Klezmer band in Chicago. — Mayor Daley’s 2003 Klezmer Day Proclamation recognizing Ensemble M’chaiya as the first revival Klezmer band in Chicagoland.

Flexible and affordable

We are happy to customize our programs to fit your interests and to adjust the band’s size to your budget and needs.