It’s been a while since the quintet Casco Bay Tummlers have performed in the University of Maine at Augusta’s Jewett Auditorium; but they will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 20, with commentary called “History of Jewish Music.” To that end bassist/vocalist Julie Goell took time to chat about the history of her group (which also includes Steve Gruverman on clarinet and sax; Phil McGowan on drums; Carl Dimow on flute, guitar and vocals; and Nancy Hoffman on accordion and vocals), from her Peaks Island home. To help prepare for this interview, Dimow sent a copy of the group’s “Journey” CD which contains 13 tracks and clocks in at more than an hour of music.
Q: Let me begin by saying I was pleased I got that “Journey” album before doing this interview because I had a rather myopic view of klezmer music. I had no idea there was such a depth and range of styles in this genre. I thought it was all the spirited, raucous nature that one sees in movies and on television. I really love the slower pieces.
Goell: Oh, good.
Q: Do you think that’s a common misconception?
Goell: That it’s only kind of raucous?
Q: Yeah.
Goell: Yes, I would imagine you are probably right … people imagine weddings and Hanukkah parties.
Q: Now klezmer is ethnic music from the Jewish culture, correct?
Goell: Yes, it was brought to America by Jewish immigrants.
Q: Is that “Journey” CD fairly representational of what a concert by the Casco Bay Trummlers all about?
Goell: Yes, it is … and it’s our latest album.
Q: Seeing it came out in 2005, are you folks working on something new album-wise?
Goell: Well, not really. Some of us have gotten involved in other projects … Carl has been doing some recording with another partner (and) Nancy’s done some recording on her own. It sort of goes by project — whatever people are really moved by most.
Q: How long have you been involved with this group?
Goell: Oh, you won’t believe this, 25 years! When I moved to Maine I had been doing klezmer music in New York and I met a couple of musicians who were working on (it) on Peaks Island where I moved to, of all things. It was Nancy and a Mexican-American clarinetist, Danny Mills. So I invited them to my wedding and I brought them together with the musicians I had been working with in New York for the wedding. I gave them all the same music and just like that a 12-hour party combusted. So I played at my own wedding and that kind of launched the group.
Q: To what do you attribute klezmer’s popularity? I mean, having your group go for 25 years shows that people want to hear it. Does it transcend ethnicity?
Goell: I think it does because it is wildly joyous and infectious music — or contagious music, I should say — it’s laugh-and-cry music and those are qualities that are universal. It evokes a very strong mood. So there are two things: one is concentric and one is eccentric. The concentric part is from within the Jewish community itself where music is an integral part of it. The eccentric part is the outside community that loves to participate in this kind of zany music. So we have always kept a tie-in to what’s happening in the Jewish community and we’ve always kept it flowing freely outside of that circle.
Q: And you’ll be bringing all of that to UMA. Has the band ever performed there before?
Goell: Yes, we have but it was years ago. I’ve performed there with another group I was with A Day Without Television — it was a children’s rock musical. I’m pretty sure the Tummlers were there but this would have been like 15 years ago, at least.
Q: Is there anything you would like to have passed on to the readers of this article?
Goell: Just bring your toe-tapping shoes and bring a set of open ears and we’ll have some fun!” That’s about it.
Lucky Clark has spent over four decades writing about good music and the people who make it. He can be reached at luckyc@megalink.net if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.
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