Veretski Pass and the Gaskin-Boden duo

Join us for a very special evening of klezmer music, featuring some of the leading musicians on the global klezmer scene today. This concert breathes new life into old music: both groups represent a continuity of the long lineage of Eastern European Jewish folk music, and the concert reflects a gradual passing of the torch from the stalwarts of Veretski Pass to the upstarts of the Gaskin-Boden duo. Klezmer music is a product of diasporic Jewish culture, a creation of many generations of melding between Jews and their surroundings, both in Eastern Europe and here in the US. 

The Gaskin-Boden duo (Dmitri Gaskin, accordion, and Raffi Boden, cello) presents an original vision of klezmer music within the stripped down instrumentation of cello and accordion. Their unique approach and creative arrangements blur the lines between melody and accompaniment, seamlessly weaving together old country shtetl fiddle repertoire, Yiddish song, and the classic New York klezmer sound. Boden and Gaskin draw melodies from historical archives as well as present their own original compositions.

Taking its name from the mountain pass through which Magyar tribes crossed into the Carpathian basin to settle what later became the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Veretski Pass offers a unique and exciting combination of virtuosic musicianship and raw energy that has excited concertgoers across the world. The trio plays Old Country Music with origins in the Ottoman Empire, once fabled as the borderlands of the East and the West. In a true collage of Carpathian, Jewish, Romanian and Ottoman styles, typical suites contain dances from Moldavia and Bessarabia; Jewish melodies from Poland and Rumania; Hutzul wedding music from Carpathian-Ruthenia; and haunting Rebetic aires from Smyrna, seamlessly integrated with original compositions. Their CDs have repeatedly been on the 10-best recording lists of journalists since 2002.

This concert is co-presented by KlezCalifornia.

Tickets are $30 general admission and $15 for students/low-income individuals. Children under 12 are free. Advance tickets are available here, or if the show is not sold out, you may purchase your tickets at the door before the show.

Doors open 30 minutes before show time. We accept cash or Venmo only at the door.

The Back Room is an all-ages, BYOB (for those 21+) space, dedicated to (mostly) acoustic music of all kinds. You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages. The venue is ADA accessible. If you need more information or have any questions, please call us: #510-381-1997.

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Please refrain from using your phone during performances, and if you use your camera or video, please disable the flash.

Although masks are no longer required, we strongly encourage their use to keep everyone safe in our intimate space.

Thank you for your support!