Joel Rubin listened to and learned from aging klezmorim Sid Beckerman and Max Epstein, on his road to clarinet virtuosity. The results of Rubin’s voyage into klezmer clarinet are on glorious display in his first album on the Tzadik label, Azoy Tsu Tsveyt. He is joined by pianist Uri Caine, a trailblazing jazz musician who has played here as part of trumpeter Dave Douglas’ ensemble. Caine uncorks sublime solos, and his strong rhythmic playing on the Fender Rhodes underpins Rubin’s fleet improvisations on songs like “Kiever,” an old tune by klezmer maestro Dave Tarras. Rubin and Caine meld their gifts beautifully on this album, a must-have for any klezmer music fan. — M.S.
(American Jewish World, 8.5.11)
