Jonno Lightstone Klezmer trio
December 21 @ 2:00pm
Jonno Lightsone - Clarinet
Kirill Savransky - Accordion
Brian Katz - Guitar
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Jonno Lightstone Klezmer trio
Acclaimed klezmer clarinetist / flutist Jonno Lightstone, and Brian Katz (guitar, piano), famed jazz and Jewish music artist combine their talents to explore some rarely performed klezmer repertoire. They are joined by Ukrainian-born accordionist and pianist Kirill Savransky, known for the vibrant energy he brings to the stage. Bringing together a multitude of musical styles and experience, they create a variety of diverse moods by weaving the melodies of klezmer and Yiddish song with the sounds and textures of chamber music, jazz, Indian raga, Israeli music and down home rock’n blues! The inviting texture of the classical guitar and flute will especially intrigue listeners who have yet to hear the more intimate side of klezmer. And when they play some good old-fashioned up-tempo Jewish dances with clarinet, piano and accordion, don’t just sit there!
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Jonno Lightstone
Jonno Lightstone is regarded as one of Toronto's finest klezmer musicians. A clarinetist, equally at home on flute and saxophone, he is a multi-faceted musician whose projects, however eclectic, always reveal his passion for klezmer and his thorough knowledge of the
idiom. He is the leader of the Yiddish Swingtet, a trio whose music runs the gamut from traditional Eastern European klezmer to American jazz and swing. He founded Hu tsa tsa, a traditional klezmer group with a chamber music aesthetic and has performed klezmer music to the R & B grooves of Matzo Ball Gumbo. Klezmology, a group dedicated to exploring the interface between klezmer music and free improvisation is a partnership with renowned saxophonist David Mott, and drummer Nick Fraser. In collaboration with guitarist Brian Katz, the duo Lightstone / Katz explores rarely performed klezmer repertoire, creating a variety of diverse moods by weaving together klezmer melodies with the sounds and textures of chamber music, modal jazz, Indian raga, and blues.
Lightstone has produced and played on a number of CDs
including, Hu Tsa Tsa’s Well Tempered Klezmorim, The Hot Latkes' Eine Kleine Klezmer Muzik, Matzo Ball Gumbo’s Peyes Up Front, and The Yiddish Swingtet’s Shul Days. He has performed with the touring Broadway show Evita, Zalman Mlotek’s Soul to Soul and has played at many festivals including: Ashkenaz, The Distillery Jazz Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival and, Caribana.
A much sought after teacher, he teaches privately at Royal St. George College and has led klezmer workshops at Lakefield Music, CAMMAC and Klezkanada. He has coached award-winning ensembles and is the musical director of Klezkonnection, Canada’s largest community klezmer orchestra. He holds a Masters Degree in Ethnomusicology from York University.
Brian Katz
Brian Katz is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, pianist, composer and recording artist, and adjunct professor of music education and performance at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, and York University. Brian is also a specialist in Dalcroze Eurhtyhmics, an approach to music education that examines the intrinsic relationships between music and physical movement, and has created a Jewish offshoot, “YidRhythmics.” Brian draws on Jewish, jazz, classical, and various folk traditions to form his personal sound. His longstanding love of Jewish music has led to collaborations with leading Jewish music artists such as virtuoso clarinettists, Martin van de Ven and Jonno Lightstone and a host of Yiddish singers including Michael Alpert (Brave Old World), Shura Lipovsky, Lenka Lichtenberg and Theresa Tova. Brian has also worked alongside many esteemed jazz and world-beat artists including Cuban-Jazz specialist Jane Bunnett, and Grammy recipients, tabla master, Sukhwinder Singh (Ry Cooder), and jazz legend, Barry Harris. Brian has a wide range of recordings to his credit ranging from Jewish to Brazilian to Korean to modern jazz. Of his recording, Solana for the prestigious German label, Bellaphon, the Belgian journal Jazz in Time wrote, "a recording of abundant intelligence." The Toronto Star referred to his CD Collected Stories (with virtuoso klezmer clarinetist Martin van de Ven) as "enchanting,” and “Pashtes” (with vocalist Lenka Lichtenberg) received international glowing reviews including CD of the month by Wholenote Magazine, who wrote, “Katz has a sumptuous guitar sound, full of facile runs and lush harmonies. Although forged firmly
in tradition, this recording has a very contemporary feel that will leave you uplifted and spiritually refreshed – just like a great piece of strudel and a 'glass tea'.” Brian’s latest CD, Leaves Will Speak, a solo guitar recording featuring original compositions and improvisations, was released internationally recently. “If you want music that speaks – here it is.” Jazz Podium, Germany (May 2014)
Kirill Savransky
Kirill Savransky is a Ukrainian-born accordionist and pianist, now based in Toronto. He has performed internationally across China, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, France, and Switzerland. In 2024, he debuted as a klezmer accordionist in Canada with Yosl and the Yingels, releasing the acclaimed album “Zikhroynes.” Kirill also produces original music blending jazz, disco, and funk, bringing vibrant energy to every stage he plays.