By Gary Kohatsu and Gary Mandell
Klezmer Juice—a Los Angeles-based Klezmer/Jewish soul band with a healthy dose of Latin flavor, led by International Clarinetist Gustavo Bulgach—provides exactly that. Klezmer Juice is the new generation of Jewish Soul music. And it will be presented by Bulgach Saturday, Sept. 21, from 8 to 10 p.m. at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City.
Tickets are $15.
With wide-ranging international backgrounds, a youthful vibe, and adding an exciting Latin undertone to their music, they are the torchbearers of an ancient traditional craft that unites generations in spirit. They create fresh interpretations of traditional and original tunes that capture the hearts of a new generation of fans.
Klezmer Juice was born in a vibrant Yiddish soul imbued with musical influences both old and new from around the world. Representing a new generation of Jewish soul musicians, the youthful group members see themselves as the new generation carrying on the tradition of this ancient craft.
Klezmer Juice bandleader and clarinet player Gustavo Bulgach was born and raised in one such community in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A part of the large and active Jewish community there, he learned Klezmer music from his family at a young age. Inspired by the religious and secular life of the Argentine community, Bulgach who now lives in Los Angeles has traveled around the globe, finding that Klezmer music is the “soundtrack of the Diaspora.”
Gustavo Bulgach has played as a member of the House of Blues Foundation house band in HOLLYWOOD, California since 1994, backing artists Little Richard, Taj Mahal, and TheWailers, among others. He has played with Chris Botti and Panamanian rapper El General, and also composed and performed the theme song for the movie A Wonderful Life, starring Bai Ling. Klezmer Juice was featured in the Hollywood mega-hit movie THE WEDDING CRASHERS featuring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn.7
The NEWS sat down with Gustavo Bulgach this week.
Where are you based? What do you think of the local scene? We are based in Los Angeles, the scene is always changing and challenging us to r- invent our own act… write new music, collaborate with other musicians and getting to be booked in areas where you have never been before. California is a big state full of people from all over the world… being active is our part of the challenge, and the only one we have to care about.
Best gig to date? The best is yet to come, but I used to work as a House of Blues house band and I got the opportunity to play and get encouraged by soooo many amazing musicians… we used to run an educational program and in the evening back up for artists who did not have a band, so we backed up bunch of singers from all over the world who came to the house of blues for a showcase to the movie industry and stuff… but the most incredible one was a show with LITTLE RICHARD… that show changed my life forever and I will be forever grateful for having such an experience.
Do you have any albums/singles available? We have two Cds released by Klezmer Juice, two more released by the amazing record company in England called ARC MUSIC INTERNATIONAL, we have distribution in more than 93 countries now and all kinds of electronic distribution benefits. We also released a tribute CD of the music of MATISIAHU released by some Country label that I do not remember now the name. We are also in many many compilation CDs from the soundtrack of the movie WEDDING CRASHERS to Putumayo label compilations.
Have you played Boulevard Music before? This will be our third time there… we l-ooove the vibe at Boulevard music… a combination of a small theater and a jazz club.
What can we expect from your upcoming performance? We are really enjoying this Yiddish poetry and Latin Music show along with Miri Koral and, considering the reaction of the public in previous performances, I hope this unique blend of Poetry and music will shine among the sooo many offers that Los Angeles has to offer all the time. We are also going to perform Yiddish Tangos, Nigunim crashing into Boleros and a lot of music from the upcoming CD.
What are your future plans? Being encouraged and encourage others to never give up no matter what happens. What matters is the heart and the determination you make to yourself and others.