Klezmania

	Line Up
	Freydi Mrocki - vocals, percussion Freydi, a founding member of Klezmania, was born into a world of Yiddish theater and folk songs, performing on stage from childhood. She was a founding member of the Yiddish folk-rock band Flamen and co-wrote “Zibn Teg”, a prize winning song in an international Yiddish song competition. She has performed in many roles with the Melbourne Yiddish Theater, and Saltpillar Theater and recorded an album with the Melbourne band The Klezmer Trio in 1991. She has also recorded songs on soundtracks for three films. In the ABC docu-drama "Bitter Herbs and Honey" (The story of the Jews of Carlton), Freydi both sang and acted as the Yiddish song researcher. She is often consulted by singers and performing groups; from Kate Ceberano to the Melbourne Chorale as well as ‘up and coming’ klezmer bands Australia wide, for advice in the area of Yiddish song. She has traveled overseas to further her studies in Klezmer music and Yiddish song and has collected a number of previously undocumented songs from ‘living treasures’ in Australia. Freydi has also been a teacher/co-ordinator of Yiddish at a number of Jewish Schools and still teaches Yiddish in Melbourne. Her impassioned vocals and her love of Yiddish leave a deep impression on audiences wherever she sings.
	David Krycer - double bass, guitar, vocals, harmonica Multi-instrumentalist David Krycer has an extensive playing history in many styles of music, working with leading players of jazz, rock, blues, and folk music. David has played with Judith Durham, Barry Humphries, Mike Rudd and Bill Putt from Spectrum and has played and recorded with many of Australia's leading folk performers. A founding member of both The Klezmer Trio and Klezmania, David has been actively researching Klezmer music for the past 20 years and continues this folk music tradition by writing his own pieces, often with a modern twist. He just loves playing music, and it shows by the smile on his face while he performs. In recent years, David's interest in Gypsy Jazz and French music has seen him form the band Belle Musette
	Lionel Mrocki - clarinet, guitar, didgeridoo, vocals Lionel learned Yiddish folk tunes from infancy and was switched onto klezmer from childhood. He has played with numerous Jewish bands for both concert performances and private functions and also performed in Yiddish theater as both an actor and musician. He was a founding member of the Yiddish folk rock band Flamen (1975), as well as The Klezmer Trio (1989) and Klezmania. Considered by other clarinetists as an expert in his field, he is much sought after for specialist advice in klezmer styles. He recorded for the soundtrack of the ABC documentary “The Fortune Teller". Lionel’s expressive playing mimics the cantor’s voice as he shrieks, laughs, sobs and sings through his instrument.
	David Breytman - bayan (button accordion) Born in Odessa on the Black Sea in the Ukraine, David graduated from Music College where he studied to be a conductor, and performer of folk instruments. During compulsory military service he was a musician with the Russian Army Choir. David became a teacher of music and later attended the Teacher's Institute where he trained as a secondary teacher. David learned traditional Moldavian, Rumanian and Yiddish melodies from his grandparents and from his extensive travels throughout Moldavia and the Southern Ukraine. He toured throughout the Ukraine and the USSR with the Odessa Instrument Orchestra as concertmeister. This ensemble won gold and silver medals for Best Folk Music Orchestra at ‘All Russia’ Competitions. He migrated to Australia in 1978 and became the musical director of the Sadko Balalaika Orchestra in 1980 which has toured Australia and the USA. David joined Klezmania in 1993.

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