The Yiddish Book Center's

Wexler Oral History Project

A growing collection of in-depth interviews with people of all ages and backgrounds, whose stories about the legacy and changing nature of Yiddish language and culture offer a rich and complex chronicle of Jewish identity.

Why You Won't Hear Me Singing About The Old Country: Lorin Sklamberg on The Klezmatics Repertoire

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Lorin Sklamberg, lead singer for The Klezmatics and YIVO sound archivist, explains the group's decision to avoid playing Jewish music which didn't reflect their reality as American Jews and shares his thoughts on creating authentic music.

This is an excerpt from an oral history with Lorin Sklamberg.

This excerpt is in English.

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This interview is part of the Yiddish and the Arts: musicians, actors, and artists series.

Other video highlights from this oral history

Lorin Sklamberg On His Early Experiences With Jewish Music

2 min 38 sec

A Low Fat, High Fiber Kugel

1 min 34 sec

Lorin Sklamberg on the Story Behind the Founding of The Klezmatics

5 min 2 sec

1987-1994: Lorin Sklamberg Describes YIVO At A Moment of Transition

4 min 47 sec

Developing A Style and Finding A Voice For The Klezmatics

6 min 6 sec

"It Was More Like a Resuscitation": Lorin Sklamberg's Thoughts on Klezmer Revival

3 min 58 sec

Sing Your Truth: Advice to Aspiring Jewish Musicians

54 sec

More information about this oral history excerpt

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