Mix a dose of klezmer with a pinch of jazz, a shot of balkan and a smidgen of gypsy, and you’ve got the recipe for Amsterdam Klezmer Band. In the AKB LAB series, the band looks for inspiration in unexpected corners. For this edition they welcome singer Salah Eddine Mesbah and drummer Mischa Porte.
Salah Eddine Mesbah represent an upcoming generation of spiritual sufi-vocalists. Born in Tangiers, Morocco, the singer has made a great impression in The Netherlands performing with the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra. Mischa Porte discovered the magic of African drums at age 6 through his tutor Mangue Camara from Guinea. Porte’s passion lies in enhancing musical narratives, something he did for artists such as Pitou and Luwten.
The Amsterdam Klezmer Band has been around for over twenty-five years. It was founded in Café De Nieuwe Lelie by front man Job Chajes and bassist Jasper de Beer, and grew into a formation with a marvelous live reputation, from Paradiso to The Concertgebouw, and from Sziget to Lowlands.
Jasper de Beer double bass/banjo/backing vocals, Job Chajes alto sax/vocals, Alec Kopyt vocals/percussion, Gijs Levelt trumpet, Joop van der Linden trombone/percussion, Janfie van Strien clarinet/backing vocals, Ellen van Vliet accordeon.
Special guests: Salah Eddine Mesbah zang, Mischa Porte drums