Merlin Shepherd Band

Biography

“A force to be reckoned with”
TimeOut

Bringing together the music of Jewish Eastern Europe, Greece and Turkey, the Merlin Shepherd Band entices and seduces its audience with irresistible music for dancing and listening to.

Merlin Shepherd (Brighton, UK) is one of the world’s leading players of traditional East European klezmer clarinet music. Apart from his own ensembles, he has also worked and toured throughout Britain and Europe with Budowitz, Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars and Aaron Alexander’s Midrash Mish-Mosh.

He has been Musical Director for Shakespeare’s Globe, Royal Shakespeare and Royal National Theatres and has played and composed for numerous theatre and radio projects. He works as Music Coordinator for KlezKamp, KlezFest London and has taught at KlezFest St Petersburg, KlezFest Ukraine and KlezKanada.

Klezmer is a powerful, emotional and deeply rooted musical form, providing both ritual and party music. As such, it is the ideal accompaniment for Jewish celebrations of all kinds including weddings, bar mitzvahs and parties of every type and size.

Merlin Shepherd is a master of his craft and is equally at home on a concert stage or a wedding dance floor.

Merlin Shepherd Band is perfect for: Jewish weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, corporate events, Hanukkah events, Jewish celebrations, themed events, corporate events, hotel and restaurant entertainment, festivals, private functions