What We Offer

Klezmer is Yiddish for "musician." The Fiddler on the Roof -- he was a klezmer! We klezmers shpiel lively, joyous music for dancing and celebrating our vibrant Jewish culture. We sing, too -- and not just in English, but also in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino, Spanish, Afrikanns and Russian. And we're right at home with most every style of social dance music including The Great American Songbook, Broadway show-tunes, jazzy Swing and Big-Band hits from the '30s and '40s, '50s Rock and Roll, Motown, Pop, and even Top-40, Country and R and B.

We offer Demos and Videos so you can see and hear for yourself the quality of our musicians and our unique style. And, we'll let you know where and when to come out and see us at our best -- LIVE.

SO whether you are planning a small intimate gathering or a large gala affair, know that we'll tailor everything to perfectly suit your special event.

And, of course, we're right at home with all styles of social dance music, including The Great American Songbook, Broadway show-tunes, jazzy Swing and Big-Band hits from the '30s and '40s, '50s Rock and Roll, Motown, Pop, Top-40, C & W, R & B... you name it, if it's great music, we’ll be playing it... blacktieorchestras.com.... but rest assured, you'll never hear loud, offensive sounds like Gangsta Rap or Hip Hop coming from our bandstand! It's just not our style.

Public Performance/Concert Fees

$1,850 to $5,500

Young People’s Concerts, Workshops, Residencies

To Life: L'CHAYIM! (all ages

Try to escape the infectious spirit and high energy of klezmer music: you'll find it irresistible! This unique musical style combines the haunting, lyric melodies of Eastern European Jews and Gypsies, the boisterous sound of Russian folk dances, and American jazz and swing rhythms of the 1920s and 30s. Together, they produce an electrifying world music that challenges you to remain in your seat. Interspersing this music with a fascinating description of the customs and culture of the creators of klezmer makes the program as educational as it is entertaining.

Private Parties

(weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, anniversaries, birthdays....)

Background, Ceremony (Classical and/or Hebrew melodies), Cocktail Music,

Horas and Jewish Wedding Dances, Jazzy Yiddish

Broadway show-tunes, Swing and Big-Band hits from the '30s and '40s,

'50s Rock and Roll, Motown, Pop, Top-40, C & W, R & B

Wedding Consultation/Party Planning

MC and Dance Leaders included

For Children's parties:

Games and contests leading to adult-friendly music.

Educational and Cultural Programs offered through Young Audiences of Houston and Texas Commision on the Arts

YOUNG PEOPLES PROGRAMS

To Life: L'CHAYIM! (all ages)

THERE ONCE WAS A TOWN (ages 12 and up)

With the virtual destruction of Eastern European Jewish culture during the Holocaust comes the inevitable question: "How could such devastation occur and could it happen again in our lifetime?" Civilizations lacking the ability to respect the humanity of "the other" cannot help but breed intolerance and allow scapegoating of minority populations to prevail.

There Once Was a Town recreates pride for the beauty of European Jewish cultural heritage by revitalizing the 400 year-old musical tradition of a bygone era through dynamic characterizations of Klezmer's electrifying and spirited world-beat. The artists intersperse their high-energy performances with a fascinating multimedia portrayal of the music, language, and customs of the once vibrant Eastern European Jewish culture.

The program is divided into three parts: Part One portrays the vibrancy of Eastern European Jewish culture (traditions and customs) prior to the events leading up to World War II; Part Two introduces content relating to the rise of Nazism and its effect on European Jewish culture; and Part Three relates to the American Jewish immigrant experience. The concept of the program is unified by integrating live klezmer instrumental and vocal music and dialogue with archival video footage.