David Krakauer
High-octane clarinet that drags traditional klezmer into the 21st century. A dizzying collision of jazz, funk, and avant-garde energy for restless ears.
High-octane clarinet that drags traditional klezmer into the 21st century. A dizzying collision of jazz, funk, and avant-garde energy for restless ears.
Listening to David Krakauer is like watching a master tightrope walker sprint across a wire. The sound is anchored by the deep, woody soul of the clarinet, but it is constantly being pushed into the red by electric guitars, funk rhythms, and hip-hop sensibilities. It is music that feels ancient and futuristic at the exact same time, vibrating with a frantic, joyful energy that demands your full attention.
What truly sets Krakauer apart is his technical fearlessness. He uses the clarinet not just as a melodic tool, but as a source of noise, texture, and percussive force. You will hear him leap into the highest possible registers with a piercing, vocal-like intensity, or use circular breathing to create hypnotic, unending loops of sound. It is a radical reimagining of Jewish musical identity that refuses to stay in a museum.
Start with 'A New Hot One' to hear the definitive blueprint of his 'Klezmer Madness' sound. It perfectly captures the transition from traditional wedding music to downtown New York experimentalism. If you want something even more groove-oriented, check out his work with Abraham Inc., where the clarinet shares the stage with legendary funk trombonist Fred Wesley.
David Krakauer (born September 22, 1956) is an American clarinetist who performs klezmer, jazz, classical music, and avant-garde improvisation.
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