Don't Ask, but please tell: Klezmer band plays Uni

Gargoyle photo by Katy Metcalf (click to enlarge)Local klezmer band "Don't Ask" stops to answer a few questions about their music. Including Uni's own Frances Harris, the band played for Music Club at lunch May 13 in the South Attic. From left: Harris, Jenina Kenessey, Michael Meadows, and Michael Shapiro.

By Katy Metcalf
Published: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - 9:58am

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Note: To watch Don't Ask performing at the Krannert Center in April, click here to go to the video at the bottom of this page.

URBANA — On May 13 during lunch, local klezmer band Don't Ask played for Music Club in the South Attic.

The band consists of violinist Frances Harris (who is also Uni's librarian), guitarist Michael Shapiro, bassist Michael Meadows, and cellist Jenina Kenessey.

In between songs, they answered questions about the history of klezmer music as well as their group.

Klezmer is a style of traditional Jewish folk music originating in Eastern Europe to accompany
various rituals, ceremonies, and celebrations.

"It absorbed many local influences, from Gypsy to Ukranian to Romanian, before being brought to the United States by immigrants," Harris said. "Right now it's enjoying a huge revival and continues to take on outside elements — even hip hop!"

Klezmer is played on a variety of instruments, but the most common would be a group of strings, particularly violin, a group of horns, particularly trumpet, and often clarinet.

"It was a good sound, but we definitely felt like we were holding back," Harris said of the group's Uni performance. "It's dancing music, and we wanted people to talk and move. But it was a lot of fun playing for the students."

For a sample of Don't Ask performing, watch the video at the bottom of this page.

Don't Ask bassist Michael Meadows is ready to play in front of Music Club's greeting. Gargoyle photos by Katy Metcalf (click any photo to enlarge and to create your own slideshow)