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The Band
Meet the bros...
David Asman, clarinetist and founder, started the KlezBros in 1993, twenty years after leaving the hills of New Jersey for the mountains of Salt Lake City. Playing the clarinet since he was nine, his classical and jazz training set the table for what became his passion, klezmer. David's active involvement in Salt Lake's Jewish community, both with the synagogue (Congregation Kol Ami) and Jewish Community Center, set up opportunities for the KlezBros that continue to be developed right up to the present. |
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Steve Keen is an original member of the KlezBros, developing the group in 1993 with David. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Steve attended Georgia Tech, then found his way to Utah in 1971 where he graduated from Westminster College with a degree in Music and from the University of Utah with a degree in Psychology. Along with the piano accordion and the diatonic button accordion, Steve is an accomplished jazz pianist and bassist and teaches jazz piano for the University of Utah Music Dept. His musical acumen is demonstrated in several original compositions that can be heard on our CD. In addition to the Klezbros he currently plays in several ethnic music groups including The Salzburger Echo, the Tango Project and Idlewild. Steve's other passions include photography, wheel-thrown pottery and woodworking. He currently has an ebay business making a specialty printing device for photographers and continues to freelance as a professional musician in many different settings. His own website is www.stephenkeenphotography.com |
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Kateri Combs inherited much of her musical talent from her Romani (Gypsy) birth parents. Her adoptive mother first witnessed her extraordinary gifts when she was a toddler. At school her dancing and choreography talents were awarded many times including winning first place at the state level.
She began singing publicly when she was 9 years old and was constantly accused of lip-syncing. She began singing jazz with Steve Keen as accompanist in her early teens. They have performed at many festivals and cultural events.
Four years ago, when Kateri was 14, she returned to Romania with her adoptive mother to find her birth family. Not only did she find her family, but she fell in love with the Romani culture and music. She brought back much of the music which she had discovered and Steve was able to transcribe some of it for the instruments in the Klezbros. She has been performing gypsy and klezmer music with them for the past three years. She also performs with the Tango Project.
Each year Kateri returns to Romania to spend time with her birth family. She returns with exciting new music for the group to try out. She is committed to introducing her culture and their passionate music to her audiences.
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Kate MacLeod |
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Wayne Coons, born and raised in Salt Lake City, started playing drums and percussion full time with The KlezBros in 2003. He has toured the country with various bands, playing musical styles ranging from jazz to klezmer. Wayne is musical director for the Modern Dance Department at the University of Utah, where he loves the creative process of combining the art of music with dance. Now, with The KlezBros, he can add circle and line dances to his repertoire! |
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Keven Johannsen, a native Utahn, joined the KlezBros in 1995, adding mandolin, guitar, and banjo. As an Adjunct Associate Professor of Music at the University of Utah, he has directed ensembles, instructed classes, and taught privately. In his many years of performing, Keven has gained prominence as one of Salt Lakes finest jazz guitarists. From jazz guitar to dixieland banjo to klezmer mandolin, Keven continues his musical journey. |
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