CARNIVAL RHYTHMS. Klezmafour. Element and folklore in the Philharmonic.

"I've seen over 200 klezmer bands from around the world in the last 25 years (...). But this band from Poland (...) is one of the best I've seen. Full of punk-rock energy, but classically educated - perfectly capturing the essence of Eastern European, klezmer sound"

Michael Dorf - New York impresario and music producer
The distinguishing feature of the Klezmafour band are original and vibrant compositions rooted in Jewish folklore. Klezmafour is a band based between Lublin, Białystok, and Warsaw. And it is from the klezmer tradition of this region that it draws its inspiration. However, it approaches them in a somewhat innovative way - with punk-rock energy and Balkan madness.
The band is a laureate of two awards from the prestigious International Jewish Music Festival 2010 in Amsterdam. The victory resulted in numerous festivals abroad and a well-received tour in the USA and Canada, where they performed in front of thousands of people, alongside stars like Balkan Beat Box.

The material recorded on their debut album "5th Element" was warmly received by listeners and reviewers. After its release, the band embarked on an international concert tour, stopping at the biggest klezmer music festivals along the way. Three weeks ago (25.01.2014) their second album was released, titled "Upwards!", promoted by a single of the same title. Asked for a few words about the new release, Gabriel Tomczuk (the band's double bassist) states: "Our latest child, the album 'Upwards' is a one-of-a-kind musical crucible. From acoustic, klezmer sounds to Balkan rhythms and electronic sounds. From songs in Polish to even Arabic. From calm compositions to club music! I guarantee that Klezmafour in its latest form will even more sweep you into a crazy party!"

Klezmafour joined the ranks of the Karrot Kommando impresario and label, alongside such well-known groups as Kapela ze Wsi Warszawa, R.U.T.A., Żywiołak, and Vavamuffin.

The tour promoting the latest album began on January 23 with a concert at the Synagogue Pod Białym Bocianem in Wrocław. In Szczecin, the band will perform with the lineup: Andrzej Czapliński, Gabriel Tomczuk, Wojciech Czapliński, Rafał Grząka, and Tomasz Waldowski.

photo by Jakub Badelek

Official band website: www.klezmafour.pl.

The concert will start on Friday, February 21 at 7:00 PM.

Tickets priced at 40 PLN (normal), 30 PLN (group), 20 PLN (reduced) can be reserved at the Philharmonic box office (pl. Armii Krajowej 1) in person or by phone at 91 422 12 52 or 539 94 94 54. The box office is open from 1 PM - 6 PM (Tue - Thu), 1 PM - 8 PM (Fri) and an hour before each ticketed event.
The M. Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin is a partner of the City of Szczecin in the project "Family-friendly Szczecin", which includes a special price list for holders of the Szczecin Family Card and the Szczecin Senior Card (details at przyjaznyrodzinie.szczecin.pl).