Biography
Csókolom delivers Eastern European folk tunes infused with gypsy elements, centering their sound on string arrangements built around two or three violins plus double bass. Fiddler Anti von Klewitz fronts the ensemble as both leader and vocalist; besides his work in traditional Hungarian styles, he trained in jazz with bassist Reggie Workman and in classical music, performed with a salsa group, and composed pieces for dance and theater productions. The band’s overall texture stands apart from most comparable groups through its modern, eclectic character, shaped by the swinging bass lines and von Klewitz’s raw, raspy singing. Their first release, the 1998 album May I Kiss Your Hand, was captured at Sun Studios in Memphis. Arhoolie Records issued the follow-up live set Ludo Luda: Fools Fancy in 2001, with Dog Daze appearing five years later.
Albums
