BUDAPEST KLEZMER BANDfounded in 1990

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THE BUDAPEST KLEZMER BAND History

The Budapest Klezmer Band, founded in 1990, comes from the heart of Europe, from the very geographic location where klezmer music originates.

The Band's performance is an exciting musical experience in traditional Jewish folklore. They play musical arrangements, composed by the founder and musical director of the ensemble, Ferenc Jávori, who grew up in the former Munkács (Munkacevo, now part of the Ukraine). Jávori learned and played klezmer with the last surviving musicians from a once flourishing community where this music was an integral part of Jewish life. Other members of the band are also exceptional musicians, most being graduates of the Franz Liszt Academy of Music of Budapest

The performance by the Budapest Klezmer Band transfers the audience back to now extinct joyous times in Central and Eastern Europe, when traditional Jewish music was part of the community's cultural fabric.

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Their climactic performances with the famous Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra playing at the Academy of Music in Budapest were resounding successes and were heralded as an initial step in bringing klezmer music to the classical concert hall. In 2000 the Pro Cultura Foundation of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences awarded Kodály Zoltán Cultural Prize to the Budapest Klezmer Band for promoting and spreading Yiddish musical tradition, and in August of 2003 tne band got the Artisjus Prize.

The Band also specializes in theatrical productions, appearing on stage with performers. They are currently featured in the ballet PURIM, The Casting of Fate, and in the Fiddler on the Roof production of the prestigious Madách Theater in Budapest

Ferenc Jávori - as everyone calls him "FEGYA"- is a really master of Klezmer music. He is the composer of numerous fantastic compositions from "PURIM" to the "MENYASSZONYTÁNC" (Wedding dance) which is a klezmer musical (performed in the Hungarian Operetta more than 200 times !).

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The composition of "PURIM or the fatecasting" which is a common production with the world famous GYÖR Ballet. He is the composer of the famous piece: "Klezmer Suite" which is always played together with the world famous hungarian chamber orchestra, the "LISZT FERENC Chamber Orchestra" led by the also world famious leader, Janos ROLLA.

Ferenc "FEGYA" JÁVORI has been living and working in Hungary for more than 30 years. He was born in the former USSR in Ukraina (former Hungary) very near to the hungarian border in MUNKÁCS (Mukacevo)..

The composer, and Merited Artist of Hungary, the founder leader of Budapest Klezmer Band Ferenc "FEGYA" Jávori was decorated with the highest hungarian order from the Hungarian Government and from the President of Hungary on 15th of march, 2014. The name of the order which is the highest one what an artist can get in Hungary is: KOSSUTH PRIZE. He was decorated with this KOSSUTH Prize for the "Outstanding career of composing and performing arts" and for the "Popularization of the Klezmer music style all over the world, which is an integral and organic part of the Hungarian Culture".

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Members

Ferenc JÁVOR - founder, leader of the band, composer, orchestrator, piano, vocal Bence GAZDA - violin, vocal Gábor BARBINEK - trombone István KOHÁN - clarinet Anna NAGY - accordion László MÁTHÉ - bass Balázs VÉGH - drums, percussion

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Budapest Klezmer Band mix recordings in recent years

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VdoHnidz70

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Orchestra members Ferenc JÁVORI - founder, leader of the band, composer, orchestrator, piano, vocal

Ferenc Jávori (Jakubovics) is one of the most prolofic and unusaual composers from Central Europe who played an

important role in introducing klezmer music to the popular music scene, musical theater, ballett stage, and in classical concerts hall. His ability to cooperate with collegues in different fields and bring to them a different creative energy rooted in his beloved traditional Jewish music is exemplary. In only a few years has become an important figure in the European music world. Jávori and his band, the Budapest Klezmer Band are the recipients of several awards for their achievements. Among them are the coveted Kodály Prize and Artisjus Prize for Best Production. jávosi won a State Prize in 2003, August. He is the composer of Purim, The Casting of Fate, a production of the Gyõr National Ballet, which received critical acclaim around Europe; the arranger for klezmer music of the musical Fiddler on the Roof at the Madách Theater production in Budapest; the composer of Klezmer Suite which has been performed and recorded by the famous Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra under the direction of János Rolla. But foremost he has arranged many klezmer tunes, most from his own collection, for the Budapest Klezmer Band which he founded 10 years ago.

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Jávori was born in a Hungarian-Jewish community of Munkács (Munkacevo), now politically part of Ukraine. This city had a very prominent Jewish population prior to WWII and klezmer music was alive in this area. Jávori collected many tunes and songs from the last living informants of this once vibrant musical culture. The foundations of Jávori's research are also rooted in the works of Mose Beregovsky, who collected and published klezmer tunes from the 1920's and Michail Stuchevsky, the theoretical researcher of Yiddish music and Gyula Galambos, the Gipsy musician who preserved many klezmer melodies of famous musicians and who perished during the Holocaust. Jávori is a classical trained musician who graduated from the Music Academy of Ungvár (Ukaraine).

Klezmer music is believed to be one of the greatest treasures of the Yiddish culture, enjoying a strong comeback in recent years. This is the music which builds bridges between Jewish and non-Jewish people, everyone exposed to it will enjoy and identify with it. Klezmer music seems to diminish political borders of Europe and has a strong connection to American Jazz. The revival movement originated from the USA, but it's roots are in Eastern-Central Europe, in the very area where

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Ferenc Jávori was born and where he popularised it. His devotion traditional Jewish music, and his ability to present it to wide audiences makes him an important musical figure in Europe and around the world.

Jávori's strong desire and boundless energy to incorporate his musical tradition into the global musical culture will continue to drive him to achieve new levels of artistic successes.

The composer, and Merited Artist of Hungary, the founder leader of Budapest Klezmer Band Ferenc "FEGYA" Jávori was decorated with the highest hungarian order from the Hungarian Government and from the President of Hungary on 15th of march, 2014. The name of the order which is the highest one what an artist can get in Hungary is: KOSSUTH PRIZE. He was decorated with this KOSSUTH Prize for the "Outstanding career of composing and performing arts" and for the "Popularization of the Klezmer music style all over the world, which is an integral and organic part of the Hungarian Culture".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzKOXaW0xBI - ' Letters from home ' - at the piano Ferenc Jávori

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-a0mgv_hZU - ' Wake up from a long slee ' - Budapest Synagogue, Process Life concert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiqOUPBlkSk - RUSSIAN PUB SONGS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K2A4W99ejs - beltz

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Gábor BARBINEK– trombone

GÁBOR BARBINEK was born in 1976. He started his studies to be a professional musician in Weiner Leó Zenemûvészeti Szakközépiskola ( Weiner Leó Vocational School) in 1995-ben,  Budapest, at the department pf trombone. He graduated in 2003 at  Liszt Ferenc Zenemûvészeti Egyetem (Liszt Academy of Music), at the department of  Jazz Trombone.

Between 2003 and 2007 he worked  for Magyar Rádió Rt. Stúdió 11 as musician of the orchestra, since 2008 he is member of  Magyar Rendõrség Zenekara Police Bigband. Between 1992 and 1994 he was member of  Nyíregyházi Városi Koncert Fúvószenekarnak, between 1994 and 1998 Weiner Leo Zenemûvészeti Szakközépiskola Koncert Fúvószenekarának. Since 1997 he participate in several pop and jazz production as session- és studio musician  (UP!, Váczi Eszter és a Szörp, Zséda band, Caramel, Comon Ground Quintet, Jackie Orszáczky Band, DePhazz, Victor Bailey, Peter Erskine, etc). Between 2000 és 2002 was meber of Budapest Jazz Orchestra, since 2005 of  Modern Art Orchestra and since 2011 he is member of the Budapest Klezmer Band.

 

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  He was on several vocational tour in other countries:

April-May of 2005: European and Canadian tour with the  international bigband of European Youth Jazz Orchestra of Európai Rádiók Szövetsége (EBU) February of

2007:  With the  Jazzahead! international jazz conference bigband in Bremen

He is virtuoso of his musical instHe isrument, he learnt the BKB's songs and the style as well in a very short time.

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Bence GAZDA - violin, vocal

Bence Gazda was born in Budapest in 1975. He was six, when he started to play on the violin. At age thirteen he was begining his studies in a special class for youth in the Franz Liszt University of Music. He graduated there in 2002. Now he is studying at the university's special DLA MAster Class.He won several prices on several competitions. For instance he got the award of the Hungarian Büro for the Protection of Author's Rights (Artisjus). As solo violinist he played in plenty concerts over Europe to The United States.

'Fiddler on the Roof' – musical - Bende in the role of the fiddler

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István KOHÁN - clarinet, bass clarinet

Kohán István was born in Budapest, 21th of September, 1963. He started his primary musical studies at János Parák in1972 at Kispest Music School. Since 1977 he was a student of István Vécsei and András Nemes at Béla Bartók Music Vocational School. 1985 he graduated from Franz Liszt Music Academy, and got a teaching diploma under the instruction of Miháltz Gábor. 1978-81 he was a member of the Symphonical Orchestra of St. Stephen's High School. 1981-86 as clarinettist he worked with Hungarian folk music in the Kopjafa group. Since 1981 he is member of the orchestra of the Budapest Operette Theater. Since 1982 he is practicing his tutorial profession. He has lead 21 students to their musical careers, and among them many have reached prominent results in national competitions.

At the moment he teaches in Ernő Dohnányi Music School and Aladár Tóth Music School. He is a member of the Budapest Klezmer Band which was founded in 1990. In 1985, he won first place in the Jeney Zoltán Quintet Competition. In 1994, and 2000, he won a prize in the National Clarinet Competition of Music Schools as the most effective teacher of students entering contests. Since 1990 he is a member of the Budapes Klezmer Band.

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László MÁTHÉ - doublebass

LÁSZLÓ MÁTHÉ was born in 1973 in Szeged. He started his musical studies by playing the violin at the age of eight. After finishing his primary music school education he joined the Music Conservatory in Szeged, specializing in playing the violin. However, at the age of 17 he was greatly influenced by other music genres besides classical music, so he switched over to the bass guitar and a few years later to double bass as well. In the early years of 2000 he attended Kõbánya Music Studio, then he was admitted to the Jazz Department of Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest where he graduated in 2007. 

He plays in several ensemble formations in a variety of styles: jazz, blues, pop, Latino and funky. In December 2011 the German record company ENJA released an album where he played together with Al Di Meola, Dave Weckl and other well-known American jazz musicians.

He has been a private music teacher for almost fifteen years. Between 2007 and 2011 he was a teacher at Dr. Lauschmann Gyula Secondary Jazz Music School.

Since December 2009 he has substituted Gabi Kiss several times when he could not take part in the concerts of BKB.

He has been a member of the Budapest Klezmer Band since April 2012.

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Anna NAGY - accordion

Nagy Anna started to play the accordion when she was 9 years old. Her teacher taught the pieces of classical composers such as Bach, Händel, Mozart, and Scarlatti. Of course during the years she kept up with contemporary music.

After graduating, she played in various theatrical orchestras.

In 1991 she met Ferenc Jávori (Fegya) who invited her to join the one year old Budapest Klezmer Band.

Ancsa makes more and more fans with her modesty and instrumental skills.

Since 2000 she has been teaching in the musical section of Lauder Javne School.

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Balázs VÉGH - drums, percussion

As a child, Balázs Végh had a special talent for playing the drums. After many years, he became master of his musical instrument. He plays in several types of groups like funky, jazz and country.

 

Fortunately he also likes klezmer music, which makes this a playground for a true drum virtuoso. Not only does he love to play the drums, but he also the instument itself. He is most proud of a handmade DW drum set, which he bought on tour in Los Angeles.

  He teaches in a music school, but happily accepts advice and hints from his peers.

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Memorable foreign places where we've been to:1992   Festival in Zefat

1993  Lille Opera House

1994  Luxemburg Park, Paris

1995  Netherlands: in every second year tours in almost every town to 2002 148 concerts, 15 "Purim" performances with the National Ballet of Gyõr

1996  Verona

1996  Premizsl, Poland

1997  Wien - Jüdische Gemeinde

1997  tour in The Netherlands and Belgium -47 concerts

1997  Prague

1998  Genova, Palazzo Ducale

1998  Tour in Israel

1998 November  Princeton University - Richardson Auditorium, N.J.; New York - Consulate

Generale; Washington Hights; City Play House - Toronto; Washington - Hungarian Embassy

16-31/10/1996  Europalia and other concerts:  Frankfurt, Stuttgart-Sindelfingen, Brussel, Antwerpen, Brakel, Vaals, San Dona' de Piave-Italy

,

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1999 Bratislava, Slovakia - 1999 Gasteig - München

2000 March Beverly Hilton, International Ballroom; New Port Beach; Palm Springs (Los Angeles) - Auditorium di Milano: "Festa della Luce", - in memoriam Sir Yehudi Menuhin. - MittelFest 2000-Cividale del Friuli, Italy - Nethanya, Israel - 11 concerts - Aasrhus, Denmark

2001 April Birmingham - Alabama, USA - march-april The Netherlands - July-Aug. Lucille - the band participated in shooting Tony Gatlif's movie in France, the "Swing" - Helsinki - Concertgebouw Amsterdam - München, Germany - Zürich - Volkshaus - Stockholm - Södra Theater - 2001 December  St. Gallen - Tonhalle

2002 Joyce Theater, OFF Broadway - New York: "Purim" - with the National Ballet of Gyõr -   Bolzano; Trentino - unpugged concert in the mountains - Róma: "Purim" in theater and concerts - Fliegende Bauten - Hamburg - Nyitra,Slovakia

2003 march  Erfurt, Germany - Union Chapel & Queen Elizabeth Hall - London - Wuppertal

2004  Musik Musee - Malmö, Stockholm - Concertgebouw Amsterdam and 6th tour in The Netherlands - Bratislava Studio-L - Munich, Gasteig

2005  Moscow

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2005 Augsburg, Parktheater im Kurhaus Göggingen - Koppenhagen, Den Sorte Diamant - Teatro Dal Verme, Milano – concert by MUS-E program, Yehudi Menuhin Foundation - Stockholm - Moscow

2006 Bochum - Christuskirche, Germany

2007 International Klezmer Festival - Fürth, Germany - Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival - Altenhof, Germany - Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival - Hasselburg, Germany - George Weston Hall - Toronto, Canada ( celebritasentertainment.com )

2009 Otremont Theatre - Montreal, Canada ( celebritasentertainment.com ) - Bergen, Pac Theatre - New Jersey - 2009 New York, Town Hall Manhattan - Brooklyn, Millenium Theatre - New York

2010 Munich, Gasteig - Frankfurt, Matthäuskirche - Bad Homburg v.d.H., Erlöserkirche - Concert together with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra - Belgrade, Belgrade Philharmonie

2011 Podgorica Festival, Montenegro - Sata Hänne Soi Accordion Festival, Ikaalinen, Finland

2012 Oslo - Komarno - Paris 2013 London , - Ukrajna – Ungvár , Ukrajna - Lemberg , Kassa - (2013. 07)

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A DOKUMENTARY FILM ABOUT THE BUDAPEST KLEZMER BAND

A documentary of the BKB has been shot for 4 years under the title " The Yiddish Blues". The film shows the rehearsals, the concerts, and lets the viewer have a short glimps in the private life of the musicians and the whole band as one big family.In the same time, however, the film also presents - and this makes it so invaluable - the dramatic personal changes, the painful farewells, and of course the great moments of  finding new members. The film was out in the cinemas in Decembre 2004.

The film was made by András Péterffy and Ernõ Nagy.

"MAGISCHES KLEZMER / LE MAGIE KLEZMER" In paralell with this another film was shot in Hungarian-American co-production "Magisches

Klezmer / Le magie klezmer", which was ordered by and later presented on ZDF/ARTE German-French channel on 22nd of May 2005. Ths film is also about klezmer music and the band as one of the most outstanding representatives of the genre. Just as in the other film Ferenc Jávori is shown as a collector and composer of klezmer and the instructor, and orchestrator of his band.

The team: Vittoria de Bruin (producer) and Emil Novák (director)

 

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DiscographyDVD - Le chajem Budapest

– 2005 -1. Leimakh2. Solom alejchem3. Tschiribim4. Yiddishe tango5. Sha, Sha, di Schwiegern Kummt6. Le chajem Rebbe7. Terkish dance8. Jewish dance9. Di sapozhkelekh10. Emancipated Klezmer11. Jingele12. DI Mame ist gegangen...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6kmlJLyxi8 - terkish dance

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Le chajem Rebbe MP3 - 2005 -

1. Le chajem Rebbe 2. Klezmer Five 3. Solom alejxem 4. Tshiribim 5. Sha sha di Schwigern Kumt 6. Dem Rebin 7. Yiddishe Tango 8. Terkish Dance 9. Fraytik oyf der nakht10. Di Sapozhkelekh11. Chohmec12. A Lidele is idis

http://www.allmusic.com/album/chajem-rebbe-mw0000495660 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e-CMXCh1J8 -Klezmer Five

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The Train 7.40 - mp3 - 2002 -

1. A hejmishe Bulgar  2. Leymakh  3. Overture - Fiddler on the Roof  4. Sabbat Prayer - Fiddler on the Roof  5. Mazel tov  6. Papirossen  7. Donna 8. Skotchna  9. Hassid-tants  10. Firen di mehetonem aheym  11. Majn Jingele 12. Di Mamme is gegangen  13. Gasn Nigun  14. The Train 7:40  15. Roman'ye

http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-train-mw0000233800

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Klezmer Szvit (Klezmer Suite) MP3 - 2001 -

1. Lebedig in Freilach 2. Alte Yiddishe Tanz 3. Volex 4. Skocna 5. Fly Flap Dance) 6. Doyna (szóló: Rolla János) 7. Klezmer Szvit - I. Allegro 8. Klezmer Szvit - II. Hora 9. Klezmer Szvit - III. Andante10. Klezmer Szvit - IV. Finale11. Bonus track - Andante

http://www.allmusic.com/album/j%C3%A1vori-ferenc-klezmer-szvit-mw0001096459

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Klezmer Suite

It was just the beginning because by 2000 six more themes were composed to the original suite and the two orchestras performed it at the Music academy. Until 2002 it was performed several times and in the countryside too. In 2001 it was first performed abroad in the Tonhalle in St. Gallen by the local chamber orchestra. In 2002 a CD record was made in the studio of the Hungarian Radioheme suite was made and when it was performed in Budapest in the second largest synagogue of the world it brought the house down before 4000 people.

It was just the beginning because by 2000 six more themes were composed to the original suite and the two orchestras performed it at the Music academy. Until 2002 it was performed several times and in the countryside too. In 2001 it was first performed abroad in the Tonhalle in St. Gallen by the local chamber orchestra. In 2002 a CD record was made in the studio of the Hungarian Radio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwNLRcLmPUk - klezmer suite

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Yiddishe Blues (Yiddishe Blues) MP3 - 2000 1. Tartar dance  2. Jewish dance  3. Ferenc Jávori: Fantasie (Fiddler On The Roof – Wedding

Dance) 4. Hora  5. Sirba  6. ABraham Ellstein: Jidl mit'n fiddl' -

(Tamás Dunai klarinét)  7. Ferenc Jávori: Emancipated

klezmer  8. Sholom Secunda: Donna-Donna  9. Ferenc Jávori: Yiddishe Blues  10. Sholom Secunda: Bei mir bist du

schejn

http://www.allmusic.com/album/yiddische-blues-mw0000227977 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8JOh40Zv1M - Sirba - live

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3dptf86yUo

MP3 and ballet- 1999 -

In 1999 János Kiss, the director of Gyõri Ballet called Fegya for a joint piece. Purim’s music was written by Ferenc Jávor and played by his orchestra. Róbert Turán based on Esther wrote the words and the dramaturgy. The Gyõri Ballet with William Fomin’s choreography all joined in this great piece to commemorate this event.

What is special in this piece beyond the fantastic mixture of arts is that the musicians also appear on the stage. At the same time of the premier the CD was also released under the same title. The premiere was on 5th January 1999 in Gyõr and in the Thália theatre in Budapest a week later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzBuAEPZPfY

' PURIM, or the Sortilege '

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' Fiddler on the roof ' MUSICAL

This piece is closely connected to Imre Kerényi who put it on stage but not in a traditional way. Contrary to common practice - actors on the stage and the orchestra in the pitch - the orchestra is on the stage too, playing and moving together with the actors as an integral part of the play. They instantly react to all events on the stage, mainly the violinist - he is Tevje's soul largely contributing to the actors with the language of music. This creates a truly intimate atmosphere just as it was in small villages when a klezmer band was an everyday part of life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghxZnxZNha8&index=3&list=PLW0vl20vFkIiHsSD0fM_lODCu31_IawEl

The world famous painter, Chagall created the character of the bearded violinist, who translates his community’s dreams, suffering and humiliation to music. The renowned Broadway musical portrays the burdens of being a minority, the strength of tradition and approaches the fallible character of human nature with self-irony and love.all this revelaed through the cheeky attitude towards “If I were a rich man” and the dignity maintained while being cheated out of one’s properties and turning homeless.

Joy and an unlimited love of life interweave the melodies that have turned into world hits by now, performed on stage as an integral part of the play, by the internationally acknow-ledged Budapest Klezmer Band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4dq1HTsiBU

NATIONAL TOUR

WITH 'TEATHER PANNON' from VESZPRÉM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHVsdTaf1go

DR. IVAN RONA -MANAGERH -1053 BUDAPEST, CUKOR U. 4.Mobile: (+36-30) 350 - 0889 E-mail:

rona.ivan@ronaivan.com

budapest.klezmer.band@gmail.com

ivan.rona@budapestklezmerband.hu

Internet:

www.budapestklezmerband.hu

www.budapestklezmerband.com

www.budapestklezmerband.eu

Contacts