GLP Music The Virtual Klezmorim Gary Lawrence Reviving The Traditional Musical Art of Klezmer copyright 2003, 2006 by David Citron Search Amazon.com for klezmer Bandleader Gary Lawrence is sparking a movement to keep alive the joyous Jewish art form of klezmer music in Florida. A member of The Epstein Brothers Orchestra, Gary wanted to keep playing after all but one of the elderly brothers died. Hence, the Virtual Klezmorim. Listen and Download These Demos of the Virtual Klezmorim Klezmer -- Bulgar (Simcha Time/Der Alte Tzegeiuner Chassidic Hora -- Lach Yerushalayim Yiddish Theater Waltz -- Mazl Israeli Rhumba: Erev Shelshoshanim/Erev Ba 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 has also performed with music industry legends including Mel Torme, Sammy Davis Jr., Shirley Bassey, and Tiny Tim. Although based in south Florida, Gary Lawrence has performed both solo and as a bandmember throughout the US and in the Caribbean and Europe.... Even on trans-Atlantic cruises. For four months during the 2005-06 tourist season, Gary was musical director and piano soloist in the Manhattan Dinner Theatre's local production of Picon Pie, a biographical musical revue about the life of Yiddish entertainer Molly Picon. The Program In addition to historic songs from Tin Pan Alley, the Big Band era, and the Yiddish theatre, 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." Of course, the Virtual Klezmorim program can be customized to your audience's desires and frame of reference. The Virtual Klezmorim is suitable for special events and concerts and is now accepting bookings for the rest of this year and the 2006-2007 season. For more information, contact Gary Lawrence at glpflorida@aol.com or call (954) 346-TUNE (that's 346-8863).

MORE PHOTOS BELOW CONVERT YOUR OLD KLEZMER RECORDS TO CDS! The TEAC GF-350 Turntable / CD-Recorder will convert your 45s, LPs, and even 78s to CDs without using a PC or patch cords.