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

ENSEMBLE 
M’CHAIYA

Chicagos 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!

We’re ready to be a mchaiya* for you!

From festivals and fine arts concerts to private parties or master class lectures, this band has a program for every setting which will fit your interests and budget.

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 (Hand drums like Darabuka and Tupan — both Balkan drums) are used, 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

We’re ready to be a mchaiya for you!

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

Contact us today to discuss your plans!
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.