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4th Ward Afro Klezmer Orchestra

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The 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra is an original Atlanta musical entity; a nine piece jazz orchestra playing original compositions and arrangements that combine West African influenced rhythms with Eastern European Klezmer melodies. The 4th Ward A.K.O., led by trumpet player/composer Roger Ruzow, boasts a roster of veteran Atlanta talent which features Colin Bragg (guitar), Chris Case (keyboard), Jeff Crompton (clarinet, alto & baritone sax), Ben Davis (tenor sax & clarinet), Chip Epsten (violin). Eric Fontaine (tenor sax), Ben Gettys (bass), Keith Leslie (drums), Bill Nittler (clarinet, baritone sax), and Blake Williams (trombone). The A.K.O. ensemble contains former and current members of, Noot d’ Noot. Cadillac Jones, Gold Sparkle Band, Home of the Wildcats, Perkenjie Shift, Bazooka Ants, Samada Trio, Chilli Willie Blues Band, Twittering Machine, Standard Deviation, and Nu South Subterraneans.

Awards

Creative Loafing Best of Atlanta 2009 Critic’s Choice:Best Jazz Band

Gear

Olds trumpet Olds trombone King and Beuscher saxophones 1960's vintage Ludwig drums, Fender Keyboard Fender Guitar

4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra: East Atlanta Passover Stomp

Read "East Atlanta Passover Stomp" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose

by Raul d'Gama Rose
December 2, 2009

Close to a century ago, Egyptologists, chief among them Cheikh Anta Diop, suggested that there was only one race: The Human Race. The Diaspora scattered from the Rift Valley and the rest, as they say, is, well, nations with severely controlled borders. Music and radio--before the advent of the record--broke some of that down, but most cultures were downright silly enough to box in the various musical dialects. Still, the Afro-American musician and the Yiddish-American musician have often crossed over ...