Dave Tarras - Yiddish American Klezmer Music 1925-1956

1992 release

This much-welcome CD provides a capsule history of one of the most important American klezmer artists via a 36-page biography keyed to 78-rpm sides, radio transcriptions, and theatrical performances that zoom from cartoon soundtrack joy to delicate waltzes. Klezmer clarinetist Dave Tarras may not have taught Benny Goodman to swing, but his breakthrough style had a profound effect on American pop. Bandmate Ziggy Elman brought the Yiddish influence on jazz out into the open via Goodman's "And the Angels Sing," and where would the Andrew Sisters be without "Bay mir bistu sheyn?" Highly recommended.

 AllMusic Review by Bob Tarte