Craig Judelman

Originally from Seattle, Craig Judelman began studying classical violin at age 4, soon branching out to jazz, klezmer and folk traditions by the time he was 12. He went on to study composition with Joan Tower, as well as classical and jazz violin at Bard College in New York before devoting himself to the study of folk music, first American ‘Old Time’ music and later delving deeply into Klezmer music.

Craig first made a name for himself as an American trad musician living in Brooklyn, where he was a founding member of The Dust Busters, who released an album with their mentor John Cohen (of the legendary New Lost City Ramblers) on the prestigious Smithsonian Folkways label. He also recorded and toured with Peter Stampfel, fiddler for The Fugs and The Holy Modal Rounders.

Craig stayed in Brooklyn for 10 years, making many trips ‘down south’ to study with older fiddlers in Appalachia, including Clyde Davenport, Alice Gerard and Joe Thompson (the last traditionally schooled African-American fiddler). Craig later moved to New Orleans and eventually Berlin, where he has lived for the last 8 years. He currently splits his musical devotions between American folk music and Klezmer/Yiddish music and culture.

Craig is dedicated to understanding both the music and the culture that surrounds it, valuing the stories and human exchange that comes with traditional music. He currently tours with his Old Time stringband, Interstate Express as well as numerous klezmer bands, and recently released a duo album with klezmer legend Michael Alpert titled ‘In Der Heym / Down Home’ of old Ukrainian Jewish music played with an American accent.

Email : cjudelman@gmail.com

Website : interstateexpressband.com

Langues : English, German