Dunash Meditation

Toronto’s KlezFactor blends rock, jazz, klezmer and classical chamber music for a modern fusion of musical worlds.

KlezFactor’s first album, The Golem of Bathurst Manor, has garnered critical and audience acclaim and was hailed by Wholenote Magazine as “daring and creative.” Keith Wolzinger of the Klezmer Podcast wrote that “KlezFactor takes us to their world of first-rate musicianship, dynamic improvisation and innovative arrangements.”

Influenced by the Klezmatics, Hasidic New Wave, John Zorn, and other contemporary jazz artists, KlezFactor emphasizes group improvisation, the melding of contemporary musical genres and original composition.

KlezFactor has performed all over the Greater Toronto Area, notably to enthusiastic crowds at Toronto’s venerable jazz venue, The Rex Hotel, as well as smaller venues like the Renaissance Café, Tranzac Club, The Bagel, and the Concord Café. KlezFactor is a regular band at the popular “Bella, Did Ya Eat?” Brunch at the Free Times Café. On festival stages, they have performed at the Ashkenaz Festival at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, and the Niagara Folk Arts Festival in St. Catherines, Ontario.

They have also performed at several City of Toronto events including Wintercity 2007, in Toronto’s City Hall at Nathan Phillips Square, and the city’s “Tuesday Night Live” summer festival in 2006 and 2007 at the 1500-seat Barry Zukerman Amphitheatre at Earl Bales Park.

KlezFactor’s music has been heard around the world, with traditional radio play in Canada, the United States and Russia. They have also been heard on internet radio via “Radio Free Klezmer” and Canada’s CBC Radio 3, and www.thatradio.com. Music from \"The Golem of Bathurst Manor\" has been featured in podcasts in the USA and Spain, as well as in DJ sets by dj tagada in Paris, France, and in a viral video for Jewish Mayhem Magazine.

Led by accomplished saxophonist/clarinetist Mike Anklewicz, Klezmachine features exciting young musicians with diverse musical backgrounds, including progressive jazz musician Ali Berkok (keyboards) who leads Arkana Music; world music fusion artist Jaro Dabrowski (guitars); rock and jazz bassist Michael Smith; celtic, rock and jazz fiddler Ben Plotnick; and jazz, funk and rock drummer David MacDougall.