Extreme Klezmer Makeover

Extreme Klezmer Makeover borrows its exuberant, whimsical, whining, moaning, laughing, driving klezmer rhythms and melodies from the mjusical taditions of 19th century Eastern Europe Jewish wedding dance music, 20th centurn American big band jazz and Yiddish theater. Adding its own unique recipe to klezmer’s rich tradition, mixing in Cajun, Bluegrass, American Folk, Schmaltz and Middle Eastern flavors.

Musician Biographies

JoEllen Lapidus on clarinet, accordion, and dulcimer. Multi-instrumentalist and founder of ”Extreme Klezmer Makeover“, Jo Ellen 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, Cajan, 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”.

Jamie Papish on Middle Eastern drums and percussion
Our percussionist Jamie Papish plays Middle Eastern, Brazilian, African, and American drums including the Cajon, Doumbek, Tombak, Riqq and numerous shakers, bells and brushes. He is an outstanding perchssionist with the Yuval Ron Ensemble and Mesto Multi-Ethnic Orchestra, Sonica, the singer Stephanie Valdez, and a umber of other ethnic world music groups around town.

Dan Dungan on upright bass
We stole our pumping, slapping, and comedic bass player, Dan Dungan, from the bluegrass 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.