Celebrating Sephardic, Mizrahi,
Yiddish and Original Music
Featuring
Wielding nothing more than voice, violin, acoustic (nylon-string) guitar and double bass, Nikitov reminds us that, in an age of loud amplifiers and sample loops, the emotional impact of acoustic music is not to be underestimated. Rhythmically snapping, ear-caressing Nikitov is a contrasting complex of backgrounds and personalities -- much like their two hometowns of Haarlem, The Netherlands and New York City. With vocals by the charismatic Niki Jacobs, the band invents new sonic and emotional territory. The result is extraordinary subtlety not often heard in today's Klezmer and Jewish music world/scene.
Nikitov was formed six years ago by Yiddish chanteuse Niki Jacobs and Gypsy Jazz violin virtuoso Jelle van Tongeren in Haarlem, The Netherlands -- a town better known for painters and typesetters than for music. Joined in 2003 by Eastern European music specialist Adam Good on guitar, and by percussive New York/New Orleans double bassist Jason Sypher, the band became a tour de force on stages across Europe and the United States, filling the halls of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Fono Theatre in Budapest Hungary, and the Jewish Music and Heritage festival in New York City with their sound and enthusiastic fans/audiences. You can visit them online www.nikitov.com .
"Whether it's klezmer or not should not even be a question, it's Nikitov...and Oh! It's beautiful!" -Joep Stapel of the Royal Concertgebouw of Amsterdam
Teslim (TesLEEM) means both 'commit' and 'surrender' in Turkish and features violinist Kaila Flexer and Gari Hegedus on (mostly plucked) strings including Turkish saz, oud, Greek lauoto and hand drums. This potent duo performs original music as well as Sephardic, Greek and Turkish musicAs a composers, their original work reflects their deep respect for folk music. In addition to performing as Teslim (they just released their debut (self-titled) CD. Flexer and Hegedus both play with Persian vocalist Hamed Nikpay. Flexer is best known in the San Francisco area as the founder and producer of Klezmer Mania!, a much-loved annual Bay Area event for over 10 years (1989-2002). She has also been at the helm of bands such as Third Ear , Next Village and Kaila Flexer's Fieldharmonik , ensembles that feature her original compositions . She has performed both nationally internationally with her own ensembles as well as with groups including The Hollis Taylor-Kaila Flexer Duo , The Flexer-Marshall Duo , Club Foot Orchestra and KITKA Women's Vocal Ensemble . She has recorded two CD's of original music for Compass Records (Nashville) to critical acclaim. In addition to Teslim, Gari Hegedus performs with Stellamara. He has studied with oud master Naseer Shamma and has recorded and performed with Ross Daly as well as numerous other musicians. He has toured with the Mevlevi Dervish (Sufi) Order of America and continues to participate in Turkish ceremonial and devotional gatherings around the country.
"Their musical journeys soar all over the globe, often coming to rest in some unknown but vivid ethnic enclave set on some imaginary beach or mountainside. A musical territory fashioned from great diversity, yet satisfyingly self-consistent." —Darol Anger, Fiddler
Pomegranates & Figs is a stand-alone musical event that features the virtuosi/artists/performers of Nikitov and Teslim both in their ensembles and in various combinations. Depending on local circumstances and interests this event could also include some or all of the following additional components:
Family matinee/School appearance(s)
Some or all of the artists of Nikitov and Teslim are featured in a one-hour performance in which musicians will perform, demonstrate their instruments individually and answer questions.
Workshops
1. Yiddish Singing Workshop with Niki Jacobs
2. Sephardic and Original Music for Instrumentalists
with Kaila Flexer and Gari Hegedus
3. Klezmer Workshop for Instrumentalists with Kaila Flexer
4. Fiddling for String Players with Kaila Flexer
5. Beginning Improvisation with Kaila Flexer
