Philly Invasion: Klezmer Musician Susan Watts

The (Klezmer) Sound of Philadelphia! Join the Boston Festival of New Jewish Music for a celebration of the Philadelphia klezmer sound featuring trumpeter and vocalist Susan Watts.

“Susan Watts, the phenomenal trumpeter, has clearly internalized the cantorial voice and found unique ways to replicate them on her instrument. Watts’ playing was the revelation of the evening…”
—Seth Rogovoy

Susan Hoffman Watts represents the youngest generation of an important klezmer dynasty that reaches back to the Jewish Ukraine of the 19th century, beginning with her great-grandfather, musician, composer, cornet-player and poet Joseph Hoffman. Watts is the sole living purveyor of the family’s traditional klezmer-style trumpet sounds which electrified audiences for decades. Watts and the Hoffman family are the features of several televised documentaries.

In addition to playing with a variety of noted klezmer musicians from around the world, Watts has recorded, performed and sang with Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All-Stars, Hankus Netsky, Klezmer Conservatory Band, The Klezmatics, So-Called, Claire Barry, Mandy Patinkin, Dudu Fischer, Mikveh, Shtreimel and The Klez Dispensers. Watts also has performed with her mother, the great klezmer drummer Elaine Hoffman Watts, in their Philadelphia-based group, Fabulous Shpielkehs.

Watts is a composer and arranger. Her repertoire is filled with Hoffman family repertoire: generations of klezmer compositions from her great-grandfather, grandfather and now Watts’ additions to the family cannon. She has been commissioned to compose klezmer for Amsterdam’s Fiddle Kapelye and the American Composer’s Forum. As one of the leading klezmer trumpet players of the modern klezmer scene, Watts has taught at klezmer festivals in New York, France, Canada and London.

Watts is a 2015 Pew Fellow and the recipient of two Leeway Foundation Grants. Both projects are centered on using klezmer as a social change agent. Watts’ concept is the focus of a Pew Fellowship Project Grant granted to the Philadelphia Folklore Project. The project is entitled “Soul Songs: Inspiring Women of Klezmer.” This projects brings together 12 of the top klezmer instrumentalists in North America (whom all happen to be women) to perform new klezmer compositions all penned by women. This event, directed by Watts, is the blueprint by which modern klezmer can take its cue.

Watts’ contribution to the present-day landscape of klezmer is notable. Being a fourth-generation klezmer is something that no other contemporary klezmer can acclaim. Her passion for Yiddish culture, klezmer music and its history has informed her life’s journey to this moment. Carrying the mantle of klezmer, keeping it in the forefront of the Jewish cultural experience and keeping it full of life is the essence of Susan Watts.

Itay Dayan and Hoffman’s Farewell opens.