August 9 – Free concert at the Ferndale Library – Klezundheit

Ferndale, MI – The Ferndale Library’s Annual Summer Concert Series welcomes Klezundheit to its courtyard on Tuesday, August 9 for a free performance for all ages beginning at 6:30 p.m. Klezundheit was formed in 2014 to perform traditional and modern klezmer, Balkan and jazz music; it was the brainchild of Ken Posner of West Bloomfield and his son Alan of Berkley.

The Posner family has always had an interest in klezmer music: Alan, along with his brother Jeremy (clarinet) and cousins Justin Wedes (trombone and piano) and Erica Wedes (trumpet), were among the founding members of a local klezmer group for children in the mid-90s. Klezundheit is essentially the adult iteration of this earlier group. Klezmer is traditional Eastern European Jewish music – it is usually associated with dance and has its own unique rhythms, arrangements and harmonies, using instruments like the tuba, flute and harmonica. The term “klezmer” combines the Hebrew words for a vessel (“kley”) and a melody (“zemer”)

Ken Poser said Klezundheit gave him an opportunity he never thought he’d have: “I played the trumpet all through high school and college, but I hadn’t touched it for almost 35 years old. As I watched and encouraged Alan to grow as a musician and educator, I dreamed that one day we might get the chance to play together in a band. It really is a dream come true. “

The band Alan brings together is imbued with a strong sense of family: Alan’s wife, Michelle, is the flautist; Gail Posner (Alan’s mother and Ken’s wife) is the dance leader. The rest of the band includes pianist David Rogers, violinist David Reed, bassist/harmonica player Glen Gardner, tuba player Matt Adler, percussionist Dan Maslanka, accordionist Cheri Whalen and saxophonist Dave Lurie. Many of these band members are either private music teachers or band/orchestral directors for local schools.

During their engaging performances, this talented ensemble is known for infusing other genres into their sets, such as jazz (embracing virtuoso improvisation) and Balkan music (with intricate rhythmic patterns).

The Ferndale Library’s special summer outdoor concert series is a centerpiece of its annual summer lineup; these musical events for all ages are made possible by the Friends of the Ferndale Library. More info: www.ferndalefriends.org