KLEZ

John Klezmer, also known as, “KLEZ”, is an Indie Soul/R&B singer songwriter from the Bay Area. KLEZ was raised playing multiple instruments and listening closely to his family’s music collection, which included the likes of Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Smokey Robinson, and the Motown and Stax legends who paved the way for generations of Soul and R&B artists to come.

In his early teens, KLEZ took his immense love of soul music and began developing his own original sound. Over time and through introspective soul searching and life experience, KLEZ honed his skills as a lyricist, composer and performer. As the story goes, KLEZ spent his summer of 2015 not at the beach or on a party vacation like his college mates, but holed up in his home studio writing song ideas, making sketch demos and finding his true musical identity while vibing on his favorite soul classics.

He released his debut-EP on June 6th. “Here Right Now” was written and recorded by KLEZ with writer/producer, Roger Gisborne a British transplant, based in Los Angeles. Gisborne describes KLEZ’s sound as, “indie soul featuring effortless, smooth falsettos reminiscent of old Motown greats, fused with organic instrumentation and electronic elements over a sonic soundscape of beat driven production.” With regard to the songwriting, he states that, “The music is thought provoking lyrically and melodically captivating, with stunning choruses, evoking artists such as Hozier, James Blake and Son Little.” - Niels Bruwier

KLEZ firmly believes that music can create a positive change in the world, and he seeks to spread a message that people of all ages and backgrounds can understand and feel. KLEZ believes that, “Music is the universal language that can unite people around the world and make them feel emotion.” According to KLEZ, “If my music can emotionally take you to a different place, then I am doing my job right.” - Joshua Smotherman