The Klezmatics emerged from the multicultural churn of New York's East Village in the late '80s to become one of the leading standard bearers of the ongoing klezmer revival. Legend has it that the band's founding members -- violinist Alicia Svigals, bassist Dave Lindsay, clarinetist Rob Chavez -- met in 1985 after reading an ad in the Village Voice looking for anyone interested in playing klezmer. The threesome soon added veteran Klezmer trumpeter Frank London, singer Lorin Sklamberg and others and was soon putting an adventurous new, post-punk spin on traditional Yiddish music.

Current members:
- Frank London (trumpet/composer)
- David Licht (drums)
- Paul Morrissett (bass, tsimbl)
- Lorin Sklamberg (voice/accordion)
- Matt Darriau (wind instruments/composer)
- Lisa Gutkin (violin)

Former members:
- Alicia Svigals (violin)
- David Krakauer (clarinet)
- Margot Leverett (clarinet)
- Rob Chavez (clarinet)
- Dave Lindsay (bass)