Title: UVA Klezmer Ensemble with special guest Susan Watts, trumpet
Location: Old Cabell Hall Auditorium, University of Virginia
Description: Elaine and Susan Watts klezmer duo.
Start Time: 20:00
Date: 2008-11-23
End Time: 22:00

Elaine Watts and her daughter Susan are a fascinating duo. They not only play klezmer (traditional Eastern European Jewish folk music) exquisitely, but also have an intriguing background. Elaine, a brilliant percussionist and the first woman to graduate in percussion from the Curtis Institute of Music, is a third generation klezmer performer from the Hoffman family, Pennsylvania’s premier klezmer family. Her family emigrated from the Ukraine, and as a result, pioneered the Philadelphia style klezmer sound, a tradition that Elaine’s music continues. As a child in the 1940s, her participation in the family music was greatly discouraged, since klezmer was primarily played by men. She never let that stop her, and her talent has helped shape the face of klezmer music today, with her extensive teaching and performing experiences earning her a 2007 NEA National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor for a folk musician. Susan, a trumpet player, also has a vibrant klezmer career, having appeared with such groups as the Klezmer Brass All-Stars, Mikveh, and the Klez Dispensers. Elaine and Susan have toured and performed together extensively, continuing a cultural and family tradition and teaching people of all different backgrounds about their music and heritage. Because of their musical and cultural offerings, we propose to bring them to the University of Virginia for a four-day residency.

One extremely vital part of this residency would be the public roundtable event focusing on Elaine Hoffman Watts’ career as a klezmer musician and percussionist, with some musical demonstration by her and Susan. This event would be moderated and discussed by Joel Rubin of the Music Department, Jon Lohman of the Virginia Folklife Program, and a member(s) of Jewish Studies faculty (either anthropologist Vanessa Ochs and/or historian James Loeffler). In addition, the Philadelphia Folklore Project is currently sponsoring a documentary about Elaine, and we hope to be able to have at least a partial screening of it during this public event. From November 20 to 23, the duo would make classroom visits as guest lecturers to various academic classes of the Music Department and the Jewish Studies Program (probably to: MUSI 409 American Jewish Popular Music, Thurs. Nov. 20, 11:00-12:15 am; MUSI 211 Music in Everyday Life, Thurs. Nov. 20, 2:00-2:50 pm; plus 1 or 2 Jewish Studies classes, TBA). In addition, Susan Watts will hold a hands-on workshop for trumpet/brass players from other ensembles and classes such as the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Improvisation Workshop, Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra, and Concert Band. At the same time, Elaine Watts would offer a similar percussion workshop. These once-in-a-lifetime experiences would give these excellent student musicians a chance to learn about another culture through music. At the conclusion of these workshops, there would be an informal performance by workshop members. In addition, Susan and Elaine would hold rehearsals with the university’s klezmer ensemble on Thursday, Nov. 20 and Saturday night, Nov. 22, giving the students a chance to play alongside and learn from two of the most important figures in the modern klezmer scene. The residency would culminate in a performance by Elaine and Susan with the UVA Klezmer Ensemble on November 23, 2008 in Old Cabell Hall Auditorium.