ENSEMBLE
M’CHAIYA

Ensemble M’chaiya as a quintet standing along a brick wall.

Chicago’s First Revival Klezmer and Sephardic Band

Traditional Roots and Gypsy Beats to move your heart and feet

Put your soul in touch with your soles! The uplifting energy of Chicagoland’s first revival Klezmer band will get your heart 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 to see our videos.
Click to see videos of the band in action!
Click to see our videos.

We’re ready to be a m’chaiya* for you!

Want quiet ceremony music or mood-setting cocktail music? Male-only vocals? We’re happy to play it your way!

Upon request, Big Band songs and World Music styles related to Klezmer are also available as are acoustic versions of ’50s-style rock and early Beatles songs.

The Ensemble M’chaiya gives substance to the meaning of its name by paying close attention to you and your interests.

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

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, Percussion, and two vocalists.

From a duet up to five pieces, 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

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.

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.

Responsive

We enjoyed singing with you and dancing to your music … M’chaiya is outstanding … Your responsiveness to our advance requests was a large factor in the success of Aryeh’s party.” Charles Primas

Our best day ever

Thank you so much for helping make our wedding our best day ever! … I really, really appreciate you making it happen and going with the flow throughout the whole process.” Jen Kouba

Professional

Excellent. Professional, easy to work with and enjoyed by all.” Lesa Ukman

Respectful

You’ve got something very special there … I am left with the sense that not only do you love the music — but you understand it and respect it. What a M’chaiya!” Earon S. Davis

Flexible

Your music filled the room with warmth and joy. The musical quality was outstanding and yet did not drown out the conversation and family atmosphere for which we had hoped. I especially want to commend you for how easy it was to work with you. You spent the time to understand what we wanted … Your flexibility to improvise in key situations really provided us with quality transitions and a highly successful event.” Earon S. Davis

Call us today. We’re ready to be a m’chaiya for you!

Ensemble M’chaiya One Sheet Brochure. Click to download printable PDF file. Copyright 2016, Modal Music, Inc. (tm). All rights reserved.
Click to download a printable One Sheet Brochure.