Magnolia's unique sound comes from the mingling of musicians with roots in a panorama of musical traditions: Klezmer, Balkan, Jazz, brass band, polka and classical. The band continues to expand its repertoire: most recently with additions from Vaudeville and from the world of Russian cabaret music.

Now eleven years old, MKB numbers 12 -15 regular members who perform in the 'industrial strength' concert band. Smaller subgroups, from 5 to 8 in number play for weddings, bar-bat mitzvahs, parties, and other celebrations.

MKB has performed at prime regional venues in the Triangle area of NC including the well known club, Cats Cradle, the Duke University Performance series "Jazz on the Patio", the Carrboro Arts Center 30th anniversary and the WorldArts Festival, a Ciompi Quartet concert, Carolina Theatre Jewish Film Festivals, the Southern Institute for Contemporary Art, the Raleigh International Festival, the opening of the Peoples TV channel, Apple Chill, the Chapel Hill Museum, and at various synagogues in the Triangle for Simchas Tora, Hannukah and Israeli Independence day. In '06 a group of Magnolias appeared on NPR's "The State of Things" and in '07 the entire MKB appeared in a Pinecone "Music of the Carolinas" - recorded live, a new CD is forthcoming.

Magnolias with Frank Stasio on "The State of Things" - NPR 12/15/06

The band may be heard in performances at Duke University on a combined CD recorded live in 2004 and 2005 and on "Dixie Diaspora - New Jewish Music from NC" recorded in 2001.

Praise for MKB from Kathy A. Silbiger, Former Executive Director of Duke Performances, "I have presented The Magnolia Klezmer Band on two occasions as part of an outdoor summer series. They 'packed the house' each time, and had the audience singing along, even getting up to dance. Their performances of klezmer and gypsy music were punctuated with knowledgeable and clever comments about the music and its history, and the repartee between the performers made everyone feel part of the show."

And from Frank Heath, owner of Cats Cradle,"Elliott,
Great show! Let's do it again some time. I think everyone enjoyed themselves."