The Boston Herald calls the music of Shir Delite "a vital breed of theatrical
klezmer."Allen Minton, guitarist and composer. Allen is a biochemist by day and a jazz guitarist by night. He is a master of electronics, and can play bass and treble guitar at the same time, and has composed many pieces in Shir Delite's repertoire.
Andy Zatman, piano and keyboard. Andy led his own jazz band in high school and majored in music at UCLA. His classical compositions have been performed at the Kennedy Center. He is one of the most complete musicians you will ever meet, with a repertoire ranging from "Great Balls of Fire" to entire symphonies. Once he and Vladimir were asked for some classical music, so they played the first movement of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony by ear.
Sy Greene, trombonist. Sy played trombone in This Is the Army with Irving Berlin, having twice turned down offers from Glenn Miller. He is still in great demand for high-profile club dates up and down the east coast.
Rodney Brooks, clarinet and sax. Rodney is known as the premier klezmer clarinetist in Washington, and participated in a "master class" with the great Giora Feidman. He is also the manager of Shir Delite.
Sally Heckelman, vocalist and composer. Sally led the New Fiddlers Band, and has her own CD of children's music. Besides her versatile vocal talents, Sally also leads children's games and acts as mistress of ceremonies.
Alan Lichtman, percussionist. Alan plays with, and has soloed with the Maryland Symphony. He has written several compositions for Shir Delite.
Vladimir Gamarnik, violin virtuouso. Vladimir comes from Baku, Azerbaijan. At his entrance exam to the Moscow Conservatory, he was given the highest possible grade by David Oistrakh, and went on to play in the Baku Symphony and lead the youth orchestra. He has toured Europe performing folk music. He is truly a virtuoso of international caliber.
11/4/99: Shir Delite and Vladimir Gamarnik
