Ernie Gruner has a long history in Australia's acoustic, theatre and world music scenes. Current bands range from the jazz and cabaret comedy of Jugularity, to the Jewish and Middle-Eastern sounds of Klezmeritis and Yalla!, to improvising music in Playback Theatre. He promotes Klezmer (Eastern European Jewish) music with his workshops and performances around Australia and beyond.
Other bands include Greek and Sephardic influences (Melisma and Soleluna) and the Klezmer Trio, while Bohemian Nights and Flirting Mazurkas include jazz and latin as well as European and Eastern influences.
He has been a member of Dya Singh band (Sikh), Kalinka (European), Zingara (world/gypsy), Howlin’ Wind Band (world/rock) and accompanied Zulya Kamalova, Kavisha Mazzella, Bronwyn Calcutt, Gypsy Fire - Matthew Fagan, Texicali Rose (mariachi) Colin Reid, Brahim Benim (Moroccan), Afandi Siyo (Oromo/East African). As a classical musician Ernie led the Monash String Quartet for over ten years and was an orchestral violinist.
His theatre involvement and collaborations have included Playback Theatre, Russian Soup , Emma Celebrazione, Blue Absinthe and cabaret with Jugularity and more.
Ernie is active as a violin teacher or more often as a fiddle teacher, introducing classical violinists to folk and improvised music styles. As a recording musician he has over 50 credits. He won the Port Fairy Tune Writing award with his wife Cathy Dowden for “Jered’s Jive” and plans to compose more - one day.
2007 KINGFISHER FESTIVAL MUSIC(Email me for rehearsals info. if you'd like to play )
Kingfisher Finale Song C Mazeltov & Leybedik in C Fiselekh C
Kingfisher Finale Song Bb Fiselekh Bb
Kingfisher Finale Song Eb Fiselekh Eb
Lecture/Demonstrations Click here for a list of where to find more Klezmer information
Previous Workshops and Lectures
Ernie Gruner is leader of Klezmeritis which plays for Jewish community weddings, barmitzvahs as well as concerts and festivals. Their CD was well reviewed around the world.
In 1998, Ernie returned from Klezmer studies in New York and Eastern Europe and maintains contact with overseas klezmer musicians. His studies included lessons from Alicia Svigals of the Klezmatics and participating in the Cracow Jewish Cultural Festival and the San Francisco KlezKamp.
In 1991, Ernie attended workshops by visiting New York klezmer musician and researcher Michael Alpert.
Ernie has also played klezmer in bands Zingara and Klezmania. He formed Kalinka which performed klezmer and gypsy music at Melbourne and Australian festivals and is a member of Australia's longest running Klezmer band, The Klezmer Trio. He worked with accordionist Leo Rosner for a live concert recording. Bohemian Nights duo includes klezmer repertoire, live and on CD.
He arranged/tutored klezmer for the 20 piece Monash University World Music ensemble at BMW Edge, and was music director for Kosher Culture's cabaret "Exile and Ecstasy" during Jewish Museum of Australia's festival.
Klezmer Workshops - Ernie leads regular public workshops, and is available for schools and private lessons.
Previously monthly at Northcote Uniting Church, CERES, Rechabite Hall, Jewish Museum etc
See Klezmer workshop participants at CERES Kingfisher Festival or pic below.
Description
Come and learn about Klezmer (Jewish folk music) from fiddler Ernie Gruner, while learning to play tunes on whatever instrument you bring along. Ernie plays regularly in Melbourne for weddings, barmitvahs and other functions where Klezmer music is popular.
He has studied in Eastern Europe (where Klezmer originated) and New York (where it is most popular) and has recorded a CD with his band Klezmeritis.
Content
- Teach tunes to participants by ear, and sheet music if necessary.
- Aim to have participants playing tunes together by end of sessions.
- Depending on event/festival incorporate participants playing as part of a concert or parade.
- Introduce participants to the style of Klezmer music - modes, ornaments, rhythms, arranging.
- Discuss some history, geography and background to the tunes and contemporary functions.
- Mention Klezmer trends around the world. Mention sources of recorded and written material.
- Aim to inspire participants to learn more tunes and style, and keep the music alive.
Turramurra Folk Music Camp 2005 - Photo by Adam Burke
Description
Jewish Gypsy Music or Jewish Jazz?
What is Klezmer Music? What makes it different to other styles of music? Where does it come from and where is it going? Come and hear violinist Ernie Gruner discussing and playing live and (optional) taped samples. Lecture is based on what Ernie found out in New York and Eastern Europe recently and other research.
Content
- Discuss history, geography and social background to the music.
- Discuss what differentiates klezper music - forms, modes, ornaments, rhythms, arranging.
- Perform examples of above on violin to illustrate lecture. Play tape-recorded samples if possible.
- Mention Klezmer trends and activity around the world.
• Australian String Teacher's Association
• Monash University Conservatorium
- Jewish Museum of Australia
- Boite Winter Festival
- Kadimah, Kosher Culture - Jewish Cultural Organisations
- Australian National Folk Festivals
- New Zealand (Wellingon Jewish community & Wellington & Whare Flat Folk fests)
- Woodford & Maleny Folk Festivals
- Cygnet and Victor Harbor Folk Festivals
- Port Fairy Folk Festivals
- Fairbridge Festivals, West Australian Folk Arts Festival- WA
- Turramurra Folk Music Camps , Rose's Gap Music Camp
- Footscray Fiddle Frenzy
- Suzuki Conference, Trinity College, Woodleigh School
- Hawthorn and Kew Festivals
- Deniliquin Music Camp ( South West Regional Conservatorium)
- Monthly Public workshops midyear currently CERES, prev.Rechabite Hall, other venues
Kingfisher Festival at CERES after walking