Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge
A driving force behind the neo-klezmer movement since its inception in the early 1980s, Andy Statman, newly signed to Sony Classical, remains an extraordinary paradox: a musician devoted to musical tradition who also continues to break new artistic ground. A celebrated mandolin player in the "Newgrass" movement of the 1970s, Andy Statman (clarinettist/composer/bandleader) has recently reinvigorated yet another realm of traditional musicmaking - klezmer - with his own particular blend of virtuosity, and originality. Acknowledged among the most authoritative of klezmer revivalists, Andy Statman was the pupil of master clarinettist Dave Tarras, who bequeathed his instruments to Statman when he died. (Biographical information Copyright 2003 Sony Music Entertainment)