Martin van de Ven and Brian Katz: The Collected Stories Project
7-9PM show, Sold Out
Due to the great demand for this show, Brian and Martin have agreed to present an afternoon show on the same day (December 3rd)!
Martin van de Ven (clarinets) and Brian Katz (guitar, piano, voice) draw their inspiration for this project primarily from Klezmer, embracing tradition but emphasizing new approaches to this vibrant music!
This internationally acclaimed duo brings together a variety of musical traditions and influences informed by the diversity within the Klezmer world and by their own rich musical backgrounds. Jazz, Classical, New Music, Bulgarian, Middle-Eastern and African influences are integrated in ways that extend tradition and generate new musical understandings that speak to our time.
Martin and Brian recorded the critically acclaimed CD, Collected Stories in the early 2000’s. They will revive some of that material as well as play some other Klezmer favourites. In these last years, the duo has been primarily performing concerts of ‘open’ (free) improvisations, and they continue to combine original compositions, Klezmer classics, new niginum (wordless songs), and their myriad of influences into a unique sound, meeting with an enthusiastic critical response.
“The audience was spellbound… They ‘play’ the ‘stars’ down from heaven” Dagblad van het Noorden, Holland
“Guitarist Brian Katz and clarinetist Martin van de Ven play music that lives and breathes despite its ancient origins, and it’s often enchanting.” Geoff Chapman; The Toronto Star
“…. classy, heartfelt…. Van de Ven’s clarinet is playful, smooth, thoughtful, and challenging; Katz’s guitar is harmonically rich and reaching, with rockin’ rhythm……” Socalled aka Josh Dolgen; Hour, Montreal
You can listen here: https://briankatz.com/recording/collected-stories/
Brian Katz
Internationally renowned guitarist, pianist, composer, educator, Brian Katz, is celebrated for his instrumental mastery and evocative compositions, where he forges jazz, Jewish, classical, and various world music influences into a very personal sound. Brian is also an adjunct professor of Music Education and Performance, currently teaching at the University of Toronto and York University. Of Brian’s solo recording Leaves Will Speak, noted European music critic Alexander Shmitz wrote: “If you want music that speaks—here it is.”
Martin van de Ven
Clarinetist extraordinaire, Martin brings fire, elegance and humour to his performance of Klezmer music. His daring original compositions are rooted in traditional folk styles but informed by Jazz, Classical, and New Music. A mainstay of the Canadian Klezmer scene, he has performed in bands including the Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band and Beyond the Pale and is a frequent performer and instructor at Klezmer music festivals around the world. He has composed and performed music for many film, television, theatre, and dance productions.
