Arkady Gips and Gypsy Klezmorim in Concert March 15

Gypsy Klezmorim music and dance will be the highlight of the evening on March 15, when world-renowned musicians Arkady Gips, Vadim Kolpakov, Alex Gorodezky, Mikhail Popov, Lucy Smirnov, Steven Fox and Neil Jacobs, will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC. Also featured in the performance will be dancer Marina Kolpakov.

"Although it is not the oldest in the world, Gypsy - or 'Roma' - music certainly is the most traveled, covering thousands of miles in a journey that has lasted centuries," said Gips. "As the Roma traveled, their music influenced, blended with and took on the colors of the musical traditions of many places visited along the way."

"Over the centuries, Gypsies managed to survive because of a variety of crafts, fortune-telling and performing music. They kept absorbing all kinds of music around them, while their own musical performances became famous everywhere, including the United States," he said. "It became commonplace to see Gypsy and Jewish Klezmer musicians playing together, and this influenced the Klezmorim to take on some of the characteristics of Gypsy music and vice versa."

A native of Kiev, Ukraine, Gips began playing violin at the age of three, and became a well-known violinist in Eastern Europe, as well as performing with many noted musicians in the U.S. He, along with 12-string guitarist Neil Jacobs, are featured on the CD, "American Gypsy," which was nominated for Album of the Year by the American Independent Music Awards. Both Gips and Jacobs have extensive knowledge of Balkan and Slavic folk music and have performed with and composed music for "Zivili" dance troupe. Gorodezky, originally from Kiev, also will contribute his folk and jazz styles on the six-string guitar during the concert.

Kolpakov is one of the most prominent Russian Roma 7-string guitarist in the world, with his specialty being traditional Russian Romani folk music, songs and dances. Hailing from Saratov, Russia, he has given concerts in Carnegie Hall in New York City, as well as the Kremlin in Moscow. His wife, Marina, an accomplished Flamenco and Gypsy Roma-style dancer, will accompany him.

Popov, a native of Russia, studied music theory and composition at St. Petersburg Conservatory. Now residing in Columbus, he serves as an organist for Temple Israel, and as accompanist for Koleinu, the Jewish community chorus. He joined BalletMet in 1995 as its company pianist, and currently serves as its Music Director.

Smirnov, an accomplished and highly acclaimed singer, graduated from Minsk Conservatory of Music. Her versatility as a performer of jazz, folk, and pop music has taken her to national festivals in Poland, Germany, Belarus, and the U.S. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, she shares her talent and knowledge with voice and piano students in Columbus.

Concert tickets are $20 for JCC members and seniors, and $25 for non-members. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Raisa Patlashenko, JCC Russian Acculturation director, at (614) 559-6215 or rpatlashenko@columbusjcc.org.