The New York Jewish Travel Guide had the pleasure of interviewing Anna Metaxa, the lead vocalist of the renowned KlezBanda group, at Bleiberg’s Café in Berlin, Germany.
NYJTG: Could you share with us the story behind the formation of your band and what inspired you all to come together to create music?
Anna: Our band came together in 2015. Jossif Gofenberg, our band leader and a Klezmer music expert, won the top prize at the International Klezmer Festival in Safed, Israel. Eduard Scharlak and Vadim Borovinsky, our fellow bandmates, had been playing Klezmer music together for a few years in the group KlezMärchen. As a vocalist, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with many musicians across different genres. However, when I met Jossif and experienced his unique style of playing Klezmer, it struck a chord within me. An impromptu rendition of “Tum Balalaika” followed, and that moment sparked the idea of forming a Klezmer group with Jossif as our lead vocalist.
NYJTG: How would you describe the visual and musical experience of attending one of your shows?
Anna: Our performances are highly interactive, inviting the audience to sing along and join in the dance to our lively tunes. Jossif adds an extra layer of entertainment by sharing humorous anecdotes, often in the classical tradition of “Jewish anecdotes.” When I sing emotive songs, particularly in languages like Russian or Yiddish, the audience connects deeply, feeling the emotion despite any language barriers. It’s a testament to the universal power of music to evoke emotion and bring people together.
NYJTG: Can you tell us if you also compose your own music? Additionally, what inspired the choice of your band name, and how did the group come together? What led you all to focus on the Klezmer genre?
Anna: While Jossif Gofenberg primarily crafts the arrangements for our music, he occasionally introduces original melodies into our repertoire.
Our band name, “KlezBanda,” combines “Klez,” which refers to Klezmer music, with “Banda,” meaning “gang” in Russian. This choice carries a touch of irony, nodding to the “Russian chansons” of the underground GULAG culture and other unregulated songs from the Soviet era. It reflects our roots and the diverse musical influences that have shaped us.
Klezmer music holds a special place in our hearts as our cultural heritage. We’ve been immersed in it since childhood, and it resonates deeply with us both personally and artistically.
NYJTG: Could you share where your performances take place and in which countries you’ve played? How would you describe your fan base? Also, do you have any upcoming shows on the horizon?
Anna: Our performances take us across Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, with plans to expand to the USA in the future.
In Berlin’s diverse and multicultural environment, our audience is a vibrant mix of ages and nationalities, embodying the city’s rich cultural tapestry.
To catch our live shows, visit our website at www.klezbanda.com. Stay tuned for our upcoming CD release, and in the meantime, enjoy our tracks on YouTube.
NYJTG: Which songs are your crowd favorites? Any final thoughts?
Anna: Some of our frequently performed tunes include “Hava Nagila,” “Mashiakh,” “Ba Mir Bista Sheyn,” and “Tumbalalaika.”
We’re dedicated to refining our distinctive approach to interpreting Klezmer and Eastern European Jewish music. Our aspiration is to share our music with audiences worldwide, including in the USA.
NYJTG: Anna, thank you immensely for your time and for offering such insightful perspectives on Klez Banda. We eagerly anticipate the possibility of seeing you and your band perform in New York City soon.
For further inquiries, please contact Jossif Gofenberg at +49 (0)173-9930 78 70 or email Anna Metaxa at metaxanna21@yahoo.gr.
New York Jewish Travel Guide
