Alan started playing folk guitar in college as a way to meet girls. It took him 25 years, but he finally met one. He's now happily married with a 10-year-old daughter and still plays folk music (which is what Klezmer really is).

After many years of marriage and even more tickling the ivories, Bruce needed a new outlet when he reached the half-century mark. Instead of a Porsche or new girlfriend, he went for a different main squeeze: the accordion. Like his cousin, Phillip Glass, Bruce has music in his Jewish blood, and he loves to express it through Klezmer - a fun and energetic way to relate to his religion through music.

Classical violin was Daphna's first love, which she abandoned for several years while concentrating on her career as a singer/songwriter. But she picked up her violin again on a lark, and now she can't seem to put it down, all for the joy of playing klezmer music, to which she believes she is genetically predisposed. She is very grateful to be in such a happy band!

Elaine grew up in the Old Country - New York City - so, of course, she had to move to California to learn about Yiddish theater and Klezmer music! She enjoys singing in all different languages, so learning Yiddish to sing the music of Goldfaden, Secunda, Warshawsky and Ellstein was a real treat. Elaine is also enjoying a new role in the band, indulging in a long-held desire to own and play a bass drum.

As a child, Kurt was forced to play cello because there were too many violins. He picked up the bass a few years later, spending an entire summer playing "I Shot the Sheriff" in his bedroom through a very large and very loud Fender amp. He plays Klezmer to channel yet-undiscovered Jewish roots, sometimes on a hybrid electric-upright piccolo bass.

After trying several other instruments as a child, Rachel finally settled on the flute at age 12. Now that she's grown up, she's delighted to be playing her piccolo with a band that doesn't require marching on football fields on bitter cold nights while wearing an unflattering and itchy uniform.

Tom grew up in the far away and exotic land of San Jose. He has made it all the way north to Palo Alto. As is true of many clarinet players, he enjoys Klezmer music because it's fun, and because it lets you play lots of notes real loud.

Larry no longer performs with the Klezmakers, but can be heard playing piano on our CD.