Music by al

I've been playing music professionally since the late 20th century. I lead Musica Universalis, an acoustic (primarily European medieval/baroque) ensemble, and I currently play with several klezmer ensembles (including a multi-year stint as guest musician with the Cornell University Klezmer Ensemble). I also comprise one half of the duo Rosetree.

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Upcoming performances:

"Melnick's Bulgar" performed with the Cornell University Klezmer at Willard Chapel in Auburn, NY.

Click here for more videos from this performance.

Samples from projects i've been involved with:

Cornell University Klezmer Ensemble

• Bukarester Bulgar from 30 March 2008 concert at Barnes Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Klezmer Kings

• Doina from 22 Aug 2009 performance by Klezmer Kings at the Morgan Opera House in Aurora, NY

Mitzfits

• Zilburne Khasene from Dr. David Grune's memorial service, 28 May 2009, Ithaca, NY

Solo efforts

• Gasn Nigun Devotional Jewish piece on clarinet (with synthesized piano accompaniment)
• Toetap Short excerpt of a solo guitar composition
• Fool Me Once One of my solo synthesizer compositions
• Heart, Body & Soul Another solo synthesizer composition

Wild Rose

• Juliann Johnson/Growling Old Man & Grumbling Old Woman Contra dance medley from our 4 Dec 2004 performance at Madison Hall in Morrisville, NY
  Beth Hogan (guitar), David Kaynor (calling & fiddle), allen (pennywhistle), Tom Quigley (keys), Amy Shapiro (fiddle)
• West End/Tamlin another contra dance medley from our performance at Madison Hall
  Beth Hogan (guitar), David Kaynor (calling & fiddle), allen (pennywhistle), Tom Quigley (keys), Amy Shapiro (fiddle)
• Doina/Papirosn Klezmer music from our Oneg Shabat/Hannukah celebration 10 Dec 2004 at Temple Concord in Binghamton, NY
  Beth Hogan (guitar & tambourine), allen (clarinet), Tom Quigley (keys), Amy Shapiro (fiddle)
• Frailach #3 Another klezmer tune from our celebration at Temple Concord
  Beth Hogan (guitar & tambourine), allen (clarinet), Tom Quigley (keys), Amy Shapiro (fiddle)

The Bardos

• El Cuarto de Tula Traditional Cuban piece performed 30 Jul 2004 at Curley's Coffeehouse in Johnson City, NY
  Jim Brewster (flute), Steve Strauss (mandolin), allen (guitar), Billy Thorpe (spoons), Max Kestel (percussion), Barefoot Bob (?)
• Scarborough Fair Steve Strauss' tweaking of a traditional tune performed 13 Jan 2001 at Cerridwan's Coffeehouse in Maryland
  Jim Brewster (mandolin), Steve Strauss (guitar), Billy Thorpe (bouzouki), Diana McFadden (cello), allen (pennywhistle), Max Kestel (percussion), Abe Street (percussion), Thunder (djembe)
• Tourdion, Dude Another tweaking, of a traditional medieval tune, from a practice session on 2 Dec 2000
  allen (Turkish saz), Jim Brewster (mandolin ?), et al
• War Hent Kerrigouarch More medieval music, from our Cerridwan's gig on 13 Jan 2001
  Jim Brewster (mandolin), Steve Strauss (guitar), Billy Thorpe (bouzouki), Diana McFadden (cello), allen (pennywhistle), Max Kestel (percussion), Abe Street (percussion), Thunder (djembe)

Bardicci Consort

• Bransle D'Écosse {Scottish Bransle} from 4 Feb 2007 performance at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Binghamton, NY
• Maltese Bransle / Nonesuch
• Black Nag

misc. jams

• Who Knows An impromptu piece performed by me & friends at the local college radio station WHRW on 12 Sep 1999
  Klaus Weiland (guitar), Steve Strauss (guitar), Billy Thorpe (bodhran), myself (12-string guitar)