The Strauss/Warschauer Klezmer Duo

The Strauss/Warschauer Duo brings together two established musicians who are deeply committed to klezmer music and Yiddish song. Their performances are an integrated and intimate blend of songs, translations and instrumental music - grounded in tradition, yet thoroughly contemporary. They draw from klezmer, Yiddish, Hasidic and liturgical music and culture, adding their own original compositions and song settings. As they sing and play in shifting combinations of violin, guitar, mandolin and accordion, they create a dynamic atmosphere with an exceptional range of feeling - from delicate and refined to exuberant and foot-stomping.

Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer are two of the most active and well-respected performers and teachers in the klezmer and Yiddish music scene. They are members of the Klezmer Conservatory Band and have performed with violinist Itzhak Perlman on film and in concert. As the Strauss/Warschauer Duo, they have performed to overwhelming acclaim in such diverse venues as the Amsterdam International Yiddish Festival, the Jewish Culture Festival in Cracow, the Ashkenaz Festival in Toronto, and the Folksbiene Yiddish Theater in New York City. They lead workshops and classes throughout North America and Europe and are on the faculty of the KlezKamp and KlezKanada Yiddish culture programs, and are frequent instructors for the Jewish Music Institute/SOAS at the University of London.

Deborah Strauss (violin, accordion, vocals, dance) is an internationally acclaimed klezmer violinist. She has appeared on numerous recordings and was a long-time member of the Chicago Klezmer Ensemble. Deborah is also a renowned teacher of Yiddish music and dance to students of all ages. She studied violin at Rutgers University and ethnomusicology at the University of Chicago.

Jeff Warschauer (guitar, mandolin, vocals) is internationally renowned as a mandolinist, guitarist, Yiddish singer and teacher. He is a member of the faculty at Columbia University, and is a program director for KlezKanada. Jeff is also a composer whose music has been heard in films and theater productions, on Public Radio International and on HBO. Jeff's solo CD, The Singing Waltz: Klezmer Guitar and Mandolin, has received widespread critical acclaim.

"Terrific" - Ben Brantley, The New York Times

"Phenomenal" - Marek Mikos, Gazeta Wyborcza (Poland)

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"A Life of Joy, a Life of Peace: Klezmer, Yiddish and Hasidic Songs and Music"

Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer bring universal themes to life in their lively and moving program!