PKO in Canada

PKO in Canada: Responding to a rumor that secreted in the hermetic Satmar community of Montreal, Reb Philip Raphals, the legendary klezmer cellist, was still making the Hasids' payiss stand on end with his  haimish  schpieling asava  a groiseh , shainem fagel, our intrepid scouts were able to penetrate this tight  world of  caftans , shtriemls and tstsiss to seek him out.  We are proud to announce that Reb Phillip has agreed to appear with The PKO for several exclusive cameo appearances as guest star, North of the border. Stay tuned, Kinderlach

PKO Update: May performance and June auditions

At the end of May, the PKO played an important and much anticipated  gig at the 90th birthday party of Mintzie Kaminsky in the Bronx New York. It is well known that the Bronx is a hotbed of contemporary klezmer activity and the local bands were anxious to measure themselves  against acknowledged masters. The PKO all star line -up was enhanced by the rat-tat-tat  percussion magic of Riva Kaminsky on dumbek, and all present, though addled by generous servings  of  a rich chocolate cake, agreed that they swung fiercely.

PKO Personnel and Artistic Director, Professor Bernard Greenwald, and the lovely Orkester concert master, first accordionist, and creative director Elena, are always scouring the country (and internationally) for talented sidemen and woman to add to the Orkester. If there is a talented player out there they want to know why he or she is not playing for them.

 

That is why in mid June they hosted at Freilach Plaza in Red Hook NY, open auditions. A founding member of the PKO, Rozin Dubrow, the fiddle wizard joined them. They were accompanied that week by the paradisal paradiddles of Riva K on the skins.

the babka sessions

In March we celebrated of our lead horn player's birthday with a gathering of friends, a plethora of Babkas from Cohen's Bakery in Ellenville and some great music.

Welcome.

photo: founding members and co-directors jam at first session in March 2008

Follow the music, fun, and antics of the Pamelekh (that's slow) Klezmer Orkester.