In 1955, when Tanz! was recorded at Columbia’s 30th Street Studios in New York, its senior clarinetist, Dave Tarras, ("the Jewish Benny Goodman") was at the height of his powers. And the arrangements before him, Sam Musiker's juxtaposition of traditional klezmer with modern swing, were the most
challenging of his career. With its foreshadowing of melodic elements, powerful, dynamic playing and precise attention to interesting voicings, Tanz! displays a thematic coherence years ahead of its time. Digitally remastered from the original analog source tapes, this CD is simply one of the greatest klezmer records ever issued.