JOELLEN LAPIDUS on clarinet, accordion and dulcimer
Multi-instrumentalist and founder of “EXTREME KLEZMER MAKEOVER”, Joellen Lapidus, brings her rich background of American and Jewish folk, Indian, Arabic and classical music to the group. A true Renaissance woman, she is a musician, musical instrument maker, songwriter, author and psychotherapist all in one. Her dulcimer instruction book, “LAPIDUS ON DULCIMER” pioneered contemporary playing, songwriting and instrument building for the fretted dulcimer. Her American folk group, “THE SHIMMERING ORCHESTRA”, performed in clubs, museums and television in Southern California during the 1970's. She currently teaches a high energy Klezmer Band Workshop and quarterly dulcimer workshops at McCabes Guitar Shop in Santa Monica and has written 2 of EKM’s greatest hits: “Always Russian” and “Grandpa Benny’s Chicken Market”.
DAN RADLAUER on accordion, mandolin and guitar
Our accordion, mandolin and guitar player Dan Radlauer is equally at home playing jazz, classical, techno, or rock music. His original compositions have been heard around the world on TV, radio and at theme parks. He writes the scores and themes for 3 currently running TV shows including VH1's “THE SURREAL LIFE” and “FILTHY RICH”. His group “ACOUSTIC ASYLUM” is a cutting edge jazz, R & B, Cajun, even a little klezmer, acoustic ensemble featuring some of LA’s top musicians. He’s also written the majority of EKM’s original tunes including “Ellis Island Rag”, “Grandma Dora’s Latkes”, “Aftermath”, “Distant Cousins” and “Isaac’s Lament”.
DAN DUNGAN on upright bass
We stole our pumping, slapping, and comedic bass player, Dan Dungan, from the blue grass music world. He currently plays with three different bluegrass bands including the “BRANT VOGEL OUTLAW COUNTRY MUSIC BAND”, the “STEPHEN ROWE AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY MUSIC BAND”, “THE STAGE ROBBERS”, and “THE TRAILER PARK TORNADOES” who play 30's and 40's jazz.
TOM TALLY on viola and violin
Tom Tally is a classically trained violist who attended C.S.U. Northridge for his degree in music performance. He has toured extensively from Europe to Asia with a diversity of groups from the Casals Festival to Sainte Chappelle's Bach Festival, to the first all Chinese American orchestra to tour to Taiwan, and Indonesia with Monty Montanas Jr's country music consortium. After touring with Micheal Crawford and Shirley Bassey in the U.S., he settled down in Los Angeles and was engaged to produce 'string tributes' for Vitamin Records. His credits include many recordings for artists such as Leonard Cohen, Counting Crows, Chaka Kahn, Stevie Wonder, Wille Nelson, Kanye West, Maroon 5, Michael Jackson, Arron Neville, Tracy Chapman, and many more. He has appeared as a musician in T.V. and films like Nixon, Beethoven 1, Mafia, Bold and the Beautiful, Fantasia 2000, The Visitor, and a live performance and recording of Beethoven's string trio in Eb on The Other Sister as well as many more. He can be seen in the latest episode of the TV series House (Ep #5023 “Under My Skin”) in the theater orchestra scene.
Extreme Klezmer Makeover: Bio
Carlos Hatem - World Percussionist
Los Angeles-based musician Carlos Hatem, playing the drums, percussion and composing, has toured the world performing and recording with the best in the business. Widely known for his versatility, he has worked with Tito Puente, Chick Corea, Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones, Cristian Castro, R.B. Grieves, Iron Butterfly, Havana, Scott Page of Supertramp, Rabito, LATC Theater Group, The Tydes and a host of top names from the rock, jazz, latin and pop worlds. His music, image and sound have appeared in numerous national and international commercials. He did a 2 season tenure in the TV band on the "Paul Rodriguez Show" and 1 1/2 years in the band of the internationally syndicated TV talent show "Cuanto Cuesta El Show". Carlos has appeared in music videos for such artists from Neil Young to Enrique Iglesias. As a composer, his scoring credits include "NFL Films", "Supershow Deportivo", and Public Disclosure". He has extensive production experience as the music director for such companies as Dulce 7, Stickman Pictures and Rhythm Star Records. As an educator he has taught at the Eubanks Conservatory of Music, private and group lessons, and his new DVD of percussion instruction entitled "THE PERCUSSION CHANNEL PRESENTS: "GREATEST HITS".