Komacha Klezmer

Ekoda Buddy
January 18, 2005

Kazutoki Umezu (Saxophone, Clarinet, Vocal)
Yoko Tada  (Saxophone, Vocal)
Ayumi Matsui  (Violin, Vocal)
Koyo Chan  (Accordian, Vocal)
Takero Sekijima  (Tuba, Recorder)
Kozo Niida  (Drums)

Komacha Klezmer is Japan's first klezmer band. Klezmer music might be described as Yiddish folk jazz dance music. Played for centuries by itinerant groups of wandering Jewish musicians in Middle Eastern, European and New York clubs, dance halls, meeting rooms and of course at Jewish weddings and bar mitzvahs, its most famous song is, of course, "Hava Nagilah."

Forged from melodic trinkets and rhythmic souvenirs picked up by itinerant Jewish musicians wandering the globe for centuries, in the past decade or so, a revival of interest in klezmer in New York was spurred on by rootsy jazz players. Now, Komacha Klezmer has brought that legacy brilliantly to Japan.

Komacha Klezmer's show at Buddy captured not just the outer form of klezmer's piecework but also its passionate essence. They showed their respect and understanding by deftly weaving  together minor modes, European folk songs, polka-like swaying, melancholy ballads, Middle Eastern lullabies and some surprisingly funky tuba lines—often all in one song. The peculiar mix of instruments, violin, clarinet, sax, tuba, accordion and drums, too, created a fascinating juxtaposition of sounds. The band obviously enjoyed these uniquely poised tensions immensely, and their infectious vibe was appealing, but it was their well-sculpted attention to every tune that brought the music up to the highest level.

Though Komacha played many slow, sad melodies, it was the jumpy, street-parade feel of faster rhythms that was most infectious. They clearly love a big joyous racket in between the sweet tenderness, and arranged every tune with inspired originality and a hip awareness that swung between wistful and ecstatic. Their solos moved between many modes and styles, always with an openhearted glee and serious intensity.

There was plenty of time for inspired lunacy along the way, of course, as klezmer is genuinely joyful music that easily spills over into pure fun. Whether singing in Russian, soloing on Jew's harp, playing two saxes at once, or blasting away at the odd harmonies and tricky rhythms, Komacha kept the energy level high and the directions unpredictable.

In this postmodern age, music, more than any other cultural form, travels borders with global ease and unusual speed. It must have taken more than a couple glasses of imported kosher wine to inspire the eccentric, curious minds in this group to form a Klezmer band together all the way over here. But, the many fans, and this writer, are sure glad they did.