"Nikitov is one of the best of the new Yiddish folksong ensembles." Klezmershack

Yiddish songs meet Gypsy Jazz. Led by charismatic Yiddish song maven Niki Jacobs, this brilliant acoustic quartet has riveted audiences in Europe and the US with its originality and driving Eastern European rhythm. Nikitov has found new avenues for improvising on old world melodies featuring violin, guitar and double bass. An intercontinental band with members from Holland and America and a rising star on the World Music scene.

Niki Jacobs, voice, of Haarlem, Netherlands is one of the most gifted singers of the Yiddish song scene today. Her early fascination with the history of her Yiddish-speaking great-grandparents gave insight into the language and culture. With a surpisingly pure voice and keen stage presence, Niki has been featured at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, the Oeral Festival, and festivals in Holland, Germany and New York City. "Quite simply Niki Jacobs has one of the nicest voices for singing Yiddish I've heard in a long time." - Klezmershack

Jelle van Tongeren, violin, of Haarlem, Netherlands is an exciting new talent in the world of Gypsy Jazz music, bringing fresh ideas and a flirtatious sense of humor with his playing. Jelle has performed at numerous festivals, including The North Sea Jazz, the Oeral and Haarlem Jazz Fest, and is a featured soloist with Hot Club de Frank and the world music ensemble Unza Unza. "Violinist Jelle van Tongeren is a standout." - Singout! Magazine

Adam Good, guitar, of New York City is sought out for his quick ears and musicality for Eastern European music events. As a Jazzer with a keen interest in Balkan and Turkish music, he can surprise the most rooted of ethnic music aficionados with his depth. He has performed in the groups Harmonia and Sideshow, toured with the Macedonian kaval master Angele Dimovski, and teaches workshops at the Balkan Music and Dance Camp. "Good is good at what he does, playing quick tunes with an intricate style." - Green Man Review

Jason Sypher, upright bass, of New York City has a varied career as an interpreter of jazz and folk styles. While living in New Orleans, he immersed himself in blues, zydeco and jazz performing with legends Irma Thomas, Little Freddie King, and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. After living for a year in the mountains of North Carolina playing Appalachian "oldtime" music he moved to New York where he continues to be an in-demand bassist for his versatility and percussive sound. "He puts the power to the music of Nikitov." - Folkworld

"Nikitov is a Netherlands-based Klezmer quartet, made up of American and European musicians, whose music combines the influences of Klezmer and Gypsy music. Fronted by versatile vocalist Niki Jacobs, the band features the virtuoso playing of violinist Jelle van Tongeren, guitarist Adam Good and bassist Jason Sypher. Unlike most contemporary Klezmer bands, Nikitov features no horn players or percussionists. As evidenced by the playing and singing on Vanderlust, they're not needed. This fiery and passionate band has made one of the best Klezmer albums of the year.

The album opens up with a version of "Fisherlied (Fisherman's Song), one of the best known songs written by Aliza Greenblatt, the great Yiddish poet who was Woody Guthrie's mother-in-law. Taken as a slow, deliberate tempo, "Fisherlied" lets us know that Jacobs is a singer who makes even non-Yiddish speakers feel the depth of the lyrics. Nikitov 's instrumentalists, meanwhile, show they can play with depth and virtuosity without ever getting in the way of the song.

A couple of songs later, on "A Gleyzele Yash" (a glass of wine), they show that their playing and singing on fast songs equals the quality of their slow ones. In addition to the vocal selections, there are some terrific instrumentals including original compositions by violinist van Tongeren and guitarist Good. Their crowning instrumental achievementis "Briul Pe Sase Din Muscel," a traditional Romanian dance tune that they turn into a seven-minute tour-de-force.

Whether on songs I've never heard before like the celebratory "Trink Brider", or on often-performed classics like "Tumbalalaika," Nikitov 's music is a refreshing take on the Klezmer tradition and a joy to listen to." - Singout Magazine

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