The Klezmatics

Kosher Gospel Meets Klezmer: The Klezmatics & Joshua Nelson July 8, 2025 | City Winery New York Prepare for a transcendent night of soul-stirring music as Grammy-winning klezmer pioneers The Klezmatics reunite with the electrifying Joshua Nelson, the Prince of Kosher Gospel, for an unforgettable evening at City Winery New York. This extraordinary collaboration, first captured in The Klezmatics’ landmark live album Brother Moses Smote the Water, blends the fiery energy of klezmer with the deep-rooted passion of Black gospel and the universal power of spirituals and liberation songs. This concert is more than a reunion—it’s a premiere. The Klezmatics have invited Joshua Nelson to contribute to their upcoming album, currently in production, and together they will debut brand-new material live on stage for the very first time, fresh from the recording studio. “One spiritual transformation after another… makes being Black and Jewish seem as obvious and natural as matzo.” — The Village Voice, NY “A moving summit of African-American, Jewish workers’, spiritual and festive songs.” — Berliner Morgenpost About the Artists The Klezmatics are the trailblazing, Grammy-winning band that has revolutionized Yiddish and klezmer music for nearly four decades. Emerging from New York City’s East Village in 1986, they blend traditional Jewish melodies with bold contemporary influences—from jazz and folk to punk and gospel. Known for their fearless innovation and deeply spiritual yet wildly danceable music, The Klezmatics have toured the globe, collaborated with luminaries like Itzhak Perlman, Chava Alberstein, and Arlo Guthrie, and remain the most celebrated klezmer group of all time. Joshua Nelson is an electrifying vocalist and dynamic performer, widely recognized as the innovator of "Kosher Gospel"—a genre that fuses African-American gospel with Jewish religious themes. Drawing inspiration from Mahalia Jackson and deeply rooted in his own Jewish heritage, Nelson’s powerhouse voice brings new life to traditional Jewish songs. A global sensation, he has performed with legends such as Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, and Oprah Winfrey, bridging cultures and captivating audiences around the world. Don’t miss this groundbreaking concert where klezmer meets gospel, tradition meets innovation, and history is made—live at City Winery New York.