About this project

Hi there,

My name is Michael Winograd.  I’m a clarinetist and composer living in Brooklyn, New York.  I spend most of my time playing Klezmer music (Eastern European Jewish folk music.) I have had the great fortune to play and teach this music all over the world, with some of the best musicians on the planet.  This coming September, I will be recording a new album.  The album will present my original music, the product of years of learning, experimentation and creation.  It has been my goal to compose new Klezmer music using concepts borrowed from contemporary classical music and jazz, without losing the flavor and aesthetics of the tradition from which it originates.

After five years of trial and error, this project is ready to be brought to the public. Recently I have been work-shopping and performing this music with my trio (Patrick Farrell on accordion, Benjy Fox-Rosen on the bass, and myself.) However, for the album the trio will be joined by Deborah Strauss on violin, Joshua Horowitz on tsimbl, and Israeli pianist Anat Fort.  Vocalist Judith Berkson will also be featured, singing pieces which have come from my collaborations with poets Josh Waletzky and Sarah Mina Gordon.  I will co-produce the album with Daniel Blacksberg. 

I am so excited! I have poured my heart and soul into this process, and there is nothing more thrilling for me than presenting my new work.  However, as an independent artist producing this record, I haven’t the financial means to fund the project on my own. There are endless costs to making a record, and I am humbly coming to you, my friends, family, fellow artists and fans, to help me make this project come to life. 

My goal for this Kickstarter campaign is $10,000.  While this will not cover all the expenses from start to finish, it will for sure get the process up and running, covering the basic studio, transportation (airfare from California and Israel, instrument shipping (the tsimbl is big!) and production costs.  HOWEVER, if I don’t reach the $10,000 mark, I get NOTHING…. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!  I can raise more money (amazing!) but not less (not so amazing!)

So here’s what you can do.  Donate!!! By donating here at Kickstarter, you essentially become a producer of the record.  Spread the word!!!  This is key! Do you know people (family, friends, clergy…etc) who would be interested in this project?  Simply send them the link!  Throughout the process, I will keep you all updated via the Kickstarter page... so check back regularly. 

With the utmost humility and sincerity, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I look forward to sharing my music with all of you!

                                                                             ~Michael Winograd