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| Grammy Nomination for The Klezmatics A Grammy nomination is no small accomplishment for any record company, large or small. For the Jewish Music Group, the just announced Grammy nomination nod for their group, the Klezmatics, is another step toward the small company's ultimate goal of expanding their niche market and turning it into mainstream gold (Best Contemporary World Music Album (Vocal or Instrumental) "Wonder Wheel" (Lyrics by Woody Guthrie), The Klezmatics [Jewish Music Group] – Category 73). The Jewish Music Group was officially formed May 2005 by industry veterans Richard Foos and David McLees, and has only just released its first titles a little more than one year ago in November 2005. The company has a stated dual focus on marketing entertainment products with Jewish content more effectively into its own market, but also the somewhat difficult and rewarding prospect of crossing over into the more mainstream market. Some have been skeptical of that second focus, but JMG President David McLees explains, "Not only do we think this Grammy nomination for the Klezmatics (for the 'Best Contemporary World Music Album') will help put our little label on the map, but we are also gratified to see Matisyahu, who is not signed to our label, nominated for Best Reggae Album. This is real. Music and entertainment with Jewish content is starting to be accepted in a bigger way than ever before." JMG also has a Klezmatics holiday album, "Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukkah, " for which sales have understandably taken off since the Grammy nomination announcement. The small, but growing, label is home to many other artists with similar breakthrough potential ranging from the hip hop duo TaShma, to singer-songwriter Rav Shmuel, to the college rock band Moshav (a.k.a. The Moshav Band), and the Jewish folk music legend Debbie Friedman. McLees, at this particular moment, is a little reluctant to discuss his other artists because "today is about the Klezmatics and their accomplishment. It took some real vision on their part to record their first true all English album as a (posthumous) collaboration with legend Woody Guthrie, and we are all over-the-moon excited for them and, of course, for us." write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |