Amsterdam Klezmer Band
Diaspora
Music from the ground up, blending tradition with fresh and playful energy. With their latest album, "Diaspora," the band returns to its acoustic roots, subtly reshaping them and capturing the music in its most immediate and joyful form, with drummer Mischa Porte taking center stage. Recorded almost entirely in a single take at Amsterdam's Singelkerk on November 26, 2025, the album radiates the raw energy of an authentic live performance. No overdubs, no electronics, and no tricks: just the band, their instruments, and the excitement of the moment. The result is warm and vibrant, a sound that reconnects the Amsterdam Klezmer Band to the roots of Klezmer music, leaving liberating space for improvisation and discovery. Romanian and Turkish rhythms intertwine Klezmer songs and original compositions, creating a musical journey that feels both grounded and expansive. Diaspora also marks a poignant moment in the band's history: it is the last recording with trumpeter and co-founder Gijs Levelt, whose sound and musical vision shaped the Amsterdam Klezmer Band for almost 28 years. On Diaspora, traditional melodies and original compositions flow seamlessly together, characterized by the diverse voices within the band. Dark, melancholic dances stand alongside driving sirba and cocek rhythms, Motown-inspired grooves, Turkish 9/8 impulses, and jazzy improvisations. Spoken word and rap moments allude to the Badchen tradition, while unexpected instrumentation, such as guitar and banjo leading a traditional melody, adds a fresh texture. Each original piece bears the signature of its composer, yet all serve the same purpose: to get bodies moving, to create connections, and to preserve klezmer as a living, breathing, communal language. Diaspora is not a nostalgic look back, but a vivid snapshot of where the Amsterdam Klezmer Band stands today: rooted, restless and irresistibly alive!