Klezmer by Tzena! uplifting

Tzena! Tzena! showed up for lunch yesterday at Husson College in Bangor, and proceeded to lift the spirits of everyone there with the joyful, passionate, 17th century Eastern European folk music called klezmer.

Performing as part of Husson’s Lunch Break Series, the eight-member ensemble, including banjo, trombone, violin, saxophone, sousaphone-tuba, clarinet and piano, masterfully presented the packed auditorium with the traditional Jewish music that’s been making a resurgence since the 1980s.

The group’s name, which comes from an Israeli pioneer folk song, means “go out.” We’re “taking the music out,” explained clarinetist Scott Rapaport. And yesterday’s audience was supremely glad of that. Between bites of sandwiches and swigs of milk, the audience listened with rapt attention, often dreamy eyed, as the fiery, exotic-sounding tones filled the room.

The music, which somehow manages to elicit joy and sorrow at once, kept toes tapping, even as hearts swelled with emotion. Ellie May Shufro’s violin provided the wonderful, inspiring melody, while Rapaport’s clarinet with its plaintive, almost wailing sound, added the lament. Ron Coates’ banjo lent a touch of pure ragtime jubilation, and Jim Winters’ trombone was reminiscent of swing.

The audience, which gleefully clapped in time to the hard-to-sit-still-for “Havah Nagilah,” grew hushed as the mystical tones of “Tish Nigun” filled the air, accompanied by the chanting of troupe members.

Rabbi Joseph Schonberger, one of the group’s two saxophonists, explained that “Tish Nigun,” which means “table melody,” is one of the songs which Eastern European Jews would sing as they gathered at the rabbi’s table after eating.

Meanwhile, Destiny Winters, 9, daughter of Jim Winters, spun gaily before the group with her own dance interpretation. Destiny added an intrinsic element to the presentation, explained Rapaport, since klezmer music is primarily dance music.

“Destiny also helps bring about a village atmosphere,” Rapaport added. “We want to play in places where we can bring our kids.” The group, which was formed about two years ago, also hopes to educate listeners about klezmer music, network with other klezmer bands and even organize workshops.

Their last offering was, appropriately, the rousing tune “Tzena, tzena.” Each musician’s improvisational talents were displayed in solo as they spoke to each other via their instruments. As each strutted his or her stuff, the audience was treated to a spectacular variation on a theme.

And, when it was over, if members of the audience had a lilt to their walk and a twinkle in their eyes, it was perfectly understandable.

Klezmer music has that effect.