AUGUST 29 • 2024 | 57
J
N
the band’s part-time dance leader.
Posner’s wife of nine years, Michelle,
plays the flute in the band. Their
sons Asher, 7, and Owen, 5, are
clearly following in the family’s musi-
cal footsteps although neither play an
instrument yet.
As well as the Posners,
Klezundheit includes violinist David Reed, alto
saxist Matt Harris, trumpeter David Lurie, trom-
bonists Zoe Cutler and Howard Collens, tubist
Matt Adler, bassist Glen Gardner, pianist David
Rodgers, accordionist Cheri Whalen and drum-
mer Dan Maslanka. They all also have primary
jobs outside the band.
“We have an ENT, a tax attorney, real estate
refinance agent, psychologist and music teach-
ers,” Posner said. “We’re all passionate about the
band, but we’re definitely not into Klezmer for
the money!”
In March, they started planning KlezMitten.
In a sweet taste of nachas, one of Posner’s for-
mer students, Ryan Schildcrout, started his own
Ann Arbor-based band, Schmaltz, a Klezmer-
funk five-ensemble collective that performs orig-
inals and classics. They are delighted to be part
of KlezMitten’s first lineup of musicians, together
with the Heartland Klezmorim from Lansing —
Andy Callis, Susanne Garber, Ben Godoshian,
Chris Hamilton, Drew Howard, David Klein
and Will Metz — and Klezmephonic of Ann
Arbor, which performs music from the Yiddish
theater, Yiddish swing and jazz interpretations of
Klezmer music.
Klezmephonic is comprised of violinist Henrik
Karapetyan, clarinettist Eric Schweizer, vocalist/
accordionist Jennifer Goltz, bassist Dave Sharp
and percussionist Mike List. The band has
evolved over the years but tends to focus more on
traditional readings of the Yiddish songs.
“I’m delighted this is happening!” said
continued on page 59
Alan Posner directing at Bloomfield Hills High School
Alan
Posner
Klezmephonic
Schmaltz