Rousing Polkas, Wild Energy & Bittersweet Melancholy
Klezmofobia turns the raw spirit of klezmer into a thrilling, unmistakably contemporary sound: irresistible dance rhythms, punk-fuelled energy, virtuosic playing and melodies that move effortlessly from exuberance to bittersweet beauty. Rooted in Eastern European Jewish musical traditions yet driven by a restless appetite for musical adventure, the band creates a sound that is both deeply grounded and gloriously alive.
The band first broke through with its debut album, Tantz!, which won a Danish Music Award and found a wide audience in Denmark. The years that followed brought acclaimed releases, including Ganze Velt and Kartushnik, the latter created in collaboration with renowned Balkan producer Dragi Šestić, as well as concerts across Europe and far beyond. Klezmofobia has brought its high-voltage live show to stages and festivals in Mexico, China, Japan, Croatia, Germany, Hungary and Svalbard, among many others.
In 2024, Klezmofobia celebrated its 20th anniversary with a tour and BIZ 120, an EP featuring five new tracks. The release captures the band’s defining contrasts: propulsive klezmer dance tunes, sharp-edged attitude and lyrical passages with room for longing and reflection. It is music made for the dance floor, but never at the expense of nuance, musical craft or emotional depth.
Led by vocalist Channe Nussbaum and powered by a seasoned ensemble with a strong collective identity, Klezmofobia treats tradition not as a museum piece, but as a living source of inspiration. The result is a generous, high-energy concert experience that connects audiences across languages and borders — celebratory, unpredictable and full of heart.
Klezmofobia has performed countless times on both small and large stages. Their concerts are characterised by energy, a feeling of community between the band and the audience, and—not least—chain dancing!
Channe Nussbaum - vocal
Bjarke Kolerus - clarinet
The band:
Ole Reimer - trumpet
Andreas Ugorskij - guitars
Jonatan Aisen - drums
Reaching out to children and young people with our music is a matter close to Klezmofobia's heart.
We have performed countless concerts for children and families throughout Denmark, and in other countries. Music is a universal language, and the audience gets involved no matter what language we or they speak.
In 2011 Klezmofobia taught and enrolled children from schools all over Copenhagen in project “Samlebånd”. At the final event in the town hall square of Copenhagen up to a 1000 children got together in Denmarks longests chaindance ever!
Workshops
Klezmofobia has held workshops in secondary schools and music schools all over Denmark. We teach the traditional klezmer, playing, singing and dancing, and also a more contemporary rock-inspired approach to the music. The students have been both on advanced and intermediate levels.
