MODAL MUSIC
World Music Bands
Traditional Roots and Gypsy Beats to move your heart and feet!
Put your soul in touch with your soles! The uplifting energy of Chicagoland’s first revival Klezmer band will get your heart and feet dancing to its eclectic repertoire of hot Klezmer tunes with Gypsy grooves, swinging Sephardic and Yiddish songs, and energetic Israeli dance tunes.
We’re ready to be a m’chaiya* for you!
Want quiet ceremony music or mood-setting cocktail music? Male-only vocals? We’re happy to play it your way!
Upon request, Big Band songs and World Music styles related to Klezmer are also available as are acoustic versions of ’50s-style rock and early Beatles songs.
The Ensemble M’chaiya gives substance to the meaning of its name by paying close attention to you and your interests.
* In Yiddish, “m’chaiya” means “A life-giving pleasure”
Unique instrumentation
This may be the only Klezmer band in the world using a Kaval (end-blown Bulgarian Flute) as a main instrument! The core instrumentation also includes Mandolin, Violin, Guitar, (both Balkan drums) and Percussion along with two vocalists.
From a duet up to five pieces, you’ll get the right size band to match your interests and budget!
Klezmer and Sephardic music for the world
Whether in America, Canada, or Europe, whether on a major festival stage or in a home for an intimate private party (as well as anything in between), the band’s high quality music, distinctive sound, attention to details that are important to you, and reasonable prices will be a ”life giving pleasure” for you.
Flexible and affordable
We are happy to customize our programs to fit your interests and to adjust the band’s size to your budget and needs.
Responsive
We enjoyed singing with you and dancing to your music … M’chaiya is outstanding … Your responsiveness to our advance requests was a large factor in the success of Aryeh’s party.” Charles Primas
Our best day ever
Thank you so much for helping make our wedding our best day ever! … I really, really appreciate you making it happen and going with the flow throughout the whole process.” Jen Kouba
Professional
Excellent. Professional, easy to work with and enjoyed by all.” Lesa Ukman
Respectful
You’ve got something very special there … I am left with the sense that not only do you love the music — but you understand it and respect it. What a M’chaiya!” Earon S. Davis
Flexible
Your music filled the room with warmth and joy. The musical quality was outstanding and yet did not drown out the conversation and family atmosphere for which we had hoped. I especially want to commend you for how easy it was to work with you. You spent the time to understand what we wanted … Your flexibility to improvise in key situations really provided us with quality transitions and a highly successful event.” Earon S. Davis
