After tours of the United States and Europe, the Yiddish Art Trio has released its debut album featuring a mix of instrumental and vocal tunes. The beautiful and evocative songs on the eponymous album are performed by some of the most accomplished musicians in the klezmer and contemporary Yiddish vein: clarinetist Michael Winograd (who played the Cedar a few years ago with Socalled), accordionist Patrick Farrell, and Benjy Fox, bass and vocals. YAT covers old favorites, like “Di Rebitsin,” and sets Yiddish poetry to new melodies. The album also features original songs, including Farrell’s “Seven Months Away from Home,” which progresses through three movements — Waltz, Terkisher and Freylakh. Unfortunately, YAT’s CD launch tour, this month and in January, does not include any Midwest dates, just the East Coast and West Coast. — M.S.
(American Jewish World, 12.19.14)