Maxwell Street Klezmer Band Educates and Entertains

The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band took the stage at Morning Ex to perform and discuss the roots and origins of Jewish musical traditions. “A Chicago-style horn line drives the energy in this ensemble that merges Big Band jazz, Yiddish theatre and classical finesse with a healthy dose of quirky humor,” as they describe themselves. Their “innovative traditionalism brings music from the past to life with a contemporary twist.”

Founded in 1983 by Lori Lippitz, Maxwell Street Klezmer Band has played at Carnegie Hall, toured Europe and provided the celebratory soundtrack for Chicago-area simchas (Jewish celebrations) for almost four decades.

The band marked its 40th “Bandiversary” at the Old Town School of Folk Music in 2023. They appeared in the world’s first klezmer opera at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and performed with Chicago Sinfonietta in “Klezmer Rhapsody,” a classical klezmer composition Ilya Levinson composed for band violinist Alex Koffman, at Chicago’s Symphony Center. They have five commercial CDs (on the Shanachie Entertainment label).

As part of their grassroots mission, through their nonprofit Klezmer Music Foundation, they direct community klezmer bands, the Junior Klezmer Orchestra and the interfaith ensemble The Salaam-Shalom Music Project. Koffman, who is also the band’s music director, and co-founder and clarinetist/saxophonist Shelley Yoelin meld their classical and jazz sensibilities into a unique sound that moves and inspires audiences of all ages.

During their time onstage, the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band offered a program that “introduces students to the music and culture of the lost Jewish community of Eastern Europe; shows and explains the role of musicians and musical instruments in an ensemble; compares Klezmer rhythms and scales to different styles of music; teaches about the roots of Jewish folk music in a geographical and historical context; encourages students to explore their own cultural heritage; and promotes cross-cultural understanding, appreciation and respect. … Underlying this upbeat and entertaining show is a message about widening cultural horizons and exposure to the ethnic diversity students might not encounter in their own school or neighborhood.”

Director Lori Lippitz explained, “we are trying to set an example of how important it is to be aware of one’s ethnic heritage, to value it, and to carry it forward.”

All those in the audience left with knowledge and respect in their minds, smiles on their faces and songs stuck in their heads!

Click here for photos of this Morning Ex.