Bandleader Gary Lawrence Reviving Traditional Art of Klezmer Music

Florida Bandleader Gary Lawrence is harnessing technology in his movement to keep alive the joyous traditional Jewish art form of klezmer music. The result: The Virtual Klezmorim, offering "the sound of a five-piece klezmer band at the expense of one musician."

May 26, 2003 (PRWEB) May 24, 2003 -- Bandleader Gary Lawrence is sparking a movement to keep alive the joyous Jewish art form of klezmer music. A member of the renowned Epstein Brothers Orchestra, Gary wanted to keep playing after all but one of the elderly brothers died. Hence, the Virtual Klezmorim.

Gary Lawrence has performed traditional klezmer music with the best: The internationally acclaimed Epstein Brothers Orchestra received a lifetime achievement award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1997.

Traditional klezmer music, also referred to as Jewish wedding music, is hard to describe. It's usually in a minor key and it often sounds like jazz. "Unlike rock, or African-influenced music, klez is made for dancing while holding hands, or dancing with a partner" wrote Ari Davidow in 1986. "It doesn't bounce, it flows. It swings, it cries."

Performing With The Epstein Brothers

When touring with the late Mickey Katz in 1985, Gary had met Willie Epstein. Shortly afterwards, Gary started working with The Epstein Brothers Orchestra: Willie (trumpet), Max (clarinet), Julie (drums), and Chisik (sax). Gary on keyboard became the youngest member of the orchestra, by two decades.

A professional pianist and arranger for thirty years, Gary performed in the Epstein Brothers' 1995 documentary film, A Tickle in the Heart, which was produced by the German government.

After Willie passed away in 1999 and only two orchestra members survived, Gary started researching ways to keep the music playing.

Keeping The Music Playing

Gary used MIDI technology to re-create the sound of Epstein Brothers Orchestra on his computers. Gary orchestrates and plays all the parts, virtually. "The result" Gary says, "is the sound of a five-piece klezmer band at the expense of one musician."

"Yiddish-American novelty numbers are very popular with audiences," explains Gary. A well-rounded musician with an impressive repertoire, Gary has played piano for a number of cantorial concerts. He was bandleader for the WFTL Orchestra and the WLQY Music of Your Life Orchestra and currently performs with the Bob Hoose orchestra and the Classic Jazz Quartet. Gary Lawrence has also performed with music industry legends including Mel Torme, Sammy Davis Jr., Shirley Bassey, and Tiny Tim.

Although based in south Florida, Gary has performed throughout the US and in the Caribbean and Europe.

The Virtual Klezmorim do a lot of Allan Sherman novelty songs, explains Gary, "especially from his first album, which was very Jewish." And of course, some of those songs have special significance for Florida audiences, like "The Streets of Miami."

The Virtual Klezmorim is suitable for special events and concerts and is now accepting bookings for this year and the 2003-2004 season.

For more information about the Virtual Klezmorim, contact Gary at glpflorida@aol.com or call (954) 346-TUNE (that's 346-8863). Or see their web site and to listen to their nine-minute demo medley and other samples at http://www.univox.com/radio/vklezmer.html.