AMSTERDAM KLEZMER BAND

For nearly three decades, the Amsterdam Klezmer Band has been reinventing klezmer music from its very core, blending tradition with fresh, playful energy. With their latest album, Diaspora, the band returns to its acoustic roots while subtly reshaping them, capturing the music in its most immediate and joyous form, with a newly prominent role for drummer Mischa Porte.

Recorded almost entirely in one take at Singelkerk, Amsterdam, on November 26, 2025, the album radiates the raw energy of a authentic live performance. There are no overdubs, no electronics and no tricks, just the band, their instruments, and the thrill of the moment. The result is warm, vibrant and alive, a sound that reconnects Amsterdam Klezmer Band with the foundations of klezmer music while leaving ample space for improvisation and discovery. Porte’s dynamic, rolling rhythms push the traditionally drum-less band into new territory, subtly expanding the band’s sonic palette without ever overpowering it. Romanian and Turkish rhythms intertwine with classic klezmer songs and original compositions, creating a musical journey that feels both grounded and expansive. Diaspora also marks a poignant moment in the band’s history. It is the final recording with trumpeter and co-founder Gijs Levelt, whose sound and musical vision have helped shape Amsterdam Klezmer Band for nearly 28 years.

Across Diaspora, traditional melodies and original compositions flow seamlessly into one another, shaped by the distinct voices within the band. Dark, melancholic dances sit alongside driving Sirba and cocek rhythms, Motown-inspired grooves, Turkish 9/8 pulses, and jazz-inflected improvisations. Spoken word and rap moments nod to the Badchen tradition, while unexpected instrumentation such as guitar-banjo leading a traditional melody adds fresh texture. Each original piece bears the mark of its composer, yet all serve the same purpose: to move bodies, spark connection, and keep klezmer a living, breathing, communal language.

Diaspora is not a nostalgic look back, but a vivid snapshot of where Amsterdam Klezmer Band stands now, rooted, restless, and irresistibly alive.