The Hot Latkes Klezmer Band

Authentic and Inventive Klezmer, Ladino and Israeli Music and Dance

More about the band
Recordings
Booking the band
Official Latke Recipe
Dan Golden's website

Based in London, Ontario, Canada, the Hot Latkes Klezmer Band performs for enthusiastic audiences in Southern Ontario and surrounding areas. The music is always rousing and spirited.

The Latkes are available for concerts, festivals, workshops, children's programs, weddings, and bar/bat mitzvahs.
Specializing in dance music, the group can be featured in dance programs and workshops.

More about the Latkes

The Hot Latkes Klezmer Band is London's own professional Klezmer ensemble. Launched in the spring of 1993, the group has developed an extensive repertoire of Klezmer and Yiddish theatre music, much of it based on the work of luminaries of the past including Dave Tarras, Abe Schwartz, Molly Picon, Harry Kandel and Aaron Lebedeff. In addition to traditional Yiddish material the Latkes have delved into Ladino and Yemenite Jewish music as well as Greek and Gypsy music.

The band has undertaken several interesting projects and collaborations since its founding. In 1993 the band recorded a cassette Universal Klezmer which has been featured on CBC folk and eclectic music programmes. In 1998 first Hot Latkes CD was released. The Latkes have performed at the Home County Folk Festival, Peterborough Folk Festival, Windsor JCC, Sunfest Festival (twice), and the Vivace Series in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

The Latkes have presented a series of educational concerts in the London area in both schools and public libraries with the support of the London Public Library, the Home County Folk Festival and the Music Performance Trust Fund. In addition to exposing young people to Klezmer music for the first time, many of these performances included a story/dance version of Ruth Bornstein's Dancing Man. This presentation featured Sharon Wise and the spontaneous participation of a host of young dancers. This concert was performed twice at the Minkler Auditorium at Seneca College in Toronto this past February.

The current members of the Hot Latkes include Henry Krichker, violin; Phil Pinchas Murphy, the Irisher Klezmer on clarinet and sax; Marg Stowe, guitar; Pete Hysen, tuba and bass; and Sharon Wise, who dances, sings and plays accordion. The group's leader is Dan Golden who plays viola and mandolin and handles most of the arrangements, musical and otherwise. Click here for individual biographies.

In recent years the Latkes have shared the stage with a number of performers including singers Rena Sheskin and Denise Pelley, and Orchestra London. The Latkes were thrilled to share the stage with Finjan at a concert in London, Ontario a couple of years ago. The band will appears from time to time Jewish Storytelling Festivals in collaboration with Toronto storyteller Lesley Robbins.

The Hot Latkes have also entertained at numerous simchas and community events in London and in Toronto playing for dancing and singing--certainly the best way to keep in touch with the joy of Klezmer music.

To book the Hot Latkes Klezmer Band
Contact Ian Davies at IDEA@iandavies.com
Phone 1-519-473-2099 or Toll Free at 1-877-801-9458

Mailing Address:
IDEA - Ian Davies Entertainment Agency
20-9 Cadeau Terrace
London, Ontario, CANADA N6K 4T5

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