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SCHMALTZ
BIO
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SCHMALTZ! leads with real interpretive vocal power, add
virtuosic accordion, guitar, piano and/or trumpet, and the result is unique and powerful. Applying Chicago’s jazz
world to the performance style of the middle of the century New York Yiddish theatre, old standards, and Sephardic
and klezmer songs, Schmaltz! rubs songs like And the Angels Sing and Bei Mir Bis du Schoen to a fresh patina with
their total of 150 years of music experience.
Rebecca Toon's sensuous vocal and interpretive brilliance is sandwiched between her bright
smile and her wickedly fun wit and humor. Henry Meisels sings tenor opera and the Jewish
repertoire in ChickenFat Orchestra. Ed Bouchard’s virtuoso Free Bass accordion music has
been part of his life through his very long career, mostly in writing and teaching the Alexander Technique.
Recently you caught him in the cast of Chicago’s hilarious “We Gotta Bingo.” Josh Nathan’s backbeat banjo and
guitar keep both ChickenFat Klezmer Orchestra and SCHMALTZ! On the straight and narrow. Nancy
Freeman's string and guitar bass career has spanned show music, bluegrass, orchestras, classic rock,
Beatles, and most delightfully and recently, klezmer and Ladino music. In the extended band: Jack Cassidy (trumpet
and keys) has toured the world, and recorded /performed with Blues Legend Junior Wells, Van Morrison, Grover
Washington Jr., Lou Rawls, Buddy Guy, and more. Radoslav Lorkovic solo touring pianist and accordion player
provides class and an amazing keyboard brilliance. He has played on TV and stages with Odetta, Jimmy LaFave, Greg
Brown, Richard Shindell, Ellis Paul, Ronny Cox and may more. Michael O’Toole’s career started by studying at the
feet of John Prine on guitar and Fleming Brown on banjo. He shares the teaching world of the Old Town School in
Chicago with both Jack Cassidy and Rebecca Toon.
Together they bring schmaltz -- to life!
Quotes:
"Music for the soul - played with a relaxed and unpretentious confidence. The music quietly worked through me
and I eventually wondered why I felt so happy!"
Iyabo Kwayana, filmmaker
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