David Krakauer

Clarinet virtuoso David Krakauer is an adventurous performer and composer known for his genre-mashing blend of klezmer, jazz, funk, and classical traditions. Whether on his own or as the leader of his inventive Klezmer Madness ensemble, Krakauer has been at the forefront of the contemporary klezmer, new music, and avant-garde scenes, releasing albums like 1995's Klezmer Madness, 2001's A New Hot One, and 2014's Checkpoint. He has garnered accolades, including a Grammy nomination as a soloist for his work on 2014's Dreams & Prayers. Krakauer has also contributed to equally acclaimed projects with Paul Moravec, Kronos Quartet, Osvaldo Golijov, Dawn Upshaw, and others. In addition, he is a respected educator, having taught at the Manhattan School of Music, the New School's Mannes College of Music, and the Bard Conservatory. Krakauer collaborates regularly with pianist/composer Kathleen Tagg, as on their 2022 project Mazel Tov Cocktail Party!