artist.artist

Amsterdam Klezmer Band

The Amsterdam Klezmer Band (often shortened to ‘AKB’) was founded in 1996. They started out playing traditional Yiddish dance music on the streets, in parks and pubs. They soon incorporated elements from the Balkan, Romani, jazz, ska and hip-hop in their music. From 2001 on the band performed extensively including many large festivals in the Netherlands and around the world. Current line-up: Job Chajes: alto saxophone, raps (1996- ) Jasper de Beer: contrabass, banjo and backing vocals (1996- ) Janfie Van Strien: clarinet, sopranino sax and backing vocals (1999- ) Joop Van Der Linden: trombone, percussion, bariton-tuba and backing vocals (2000- ) Ellen van Vliet (accordion) (± 2023- ) Mischa Porte (drums & percussion (2024- ) Former members: Gijs Levelt: trumpet (1997 - 2026) Alec Kopyt: percussion and vocals (2001- 2025) Theo Van Tol: accordion (2000 - † 2023) Henk Jan Van Minnen