专辑简介

MOSTLY KOSHER is a Jewish culture revival band and theater ensemble based in Southern California. A driving force in world music, their mission is to preserve the music as well as progressing the culture and fusing it with other cultures. MK music ranges from upbeat klezmer to plaintive Yiddish melodies with a modern twist now and then! Directed by the multi-talented clarinetist, pianist and singer, Leeav Sofer, Mostly Kosher is already making a name in the Jewish music world. Leeav is joined by Janice “Rachele the Matchmaker” Mautner Markham on violin and shtick, as well as Casey Solow, Mike King, Will Brahm, Adam Levy, Eric Hagstrom, Michael Bolger and guest soloist Cantor Faith Steinsnyder.

From their packed show at the Orange County Yiddish Festival to their exuberant performances at the Skirball Cultural Center, John Anson Ford Theater and Gene Autry Museum, Mostly Kosher band members are honored to have graced some of the best stages Southern California has to offer! And MK is also proud to join forces with Craig Taubman and Pico Union Project for the recent “Shabbat at the Ford” and their standing-room-only CD release concert. And what is this Mostly Kosher experience? Well, as you wipe your eyes dry from heart wrenching Yiddish lullabies, Jewish Mama, “Rachele the Matchmaker”, will already be wagging her finger at you. “The story and joke-telling tradition is so strong in our families, and in the Jewish tradition - that’s what we’re drawing from,” says founding member, Markham.

Band leader Leeav Sofer has expanded his musical and artistic life with Mostly Kosher from clarinetist, vocalist, pianist and actor, to that of composer and arranger. “Besides the traditional melodies we perform, we also play various styles and genres from all around the world. It’s very exciting to take the Klezmer and Yiddish Theater tunes and give them a unique feel from Latin Jazz to Afro-Cuban and even add a Hip-Hop rhythm. We often include South American Ladino music in our program, as well as Yiddish tangos with a French flare. The music of our Jewish roots thrived during such a critical time in Europe and America, and I want to help it continue into the future and bring this music to the next generation.”