skip to content

Hawaii's Klezmer Music Ensemble

Hawaii's own and only klezmer band, Kona's Traveling Jewish Wedding Band plays the finest music by the Big Island's top musicians for the best celebrations in the Jewish world. With its usual composition of violin, contra-bass balalaika, vocals, keyboard, clarinet, accordion and percussion (and sometimes other instruments), they play for parties, weddings, anniversaries, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, concerts and other celebrations. As ever, this band is "available for your next affair" with a repertoire of klezmer, Yiddish, Israeli, Greek, Russian, freilach and other music, from horas to waltzes, and even Japanese and Hawaiian wedding songs!

Call or fax (808) 326-4192, or e-mail:

Jewish wedding music

Kona's Traveling Jewish Wedding Band is available to perform for occasions of all sizes. If your party or event will be smaller, we can offer a smaller version of the Band to match your needs. We welcome requests to play your favorite songs. We can help you to give your guests the most unique and delightful experience of nostalgia, celebration, authenticity and fine music, right here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean!

Jewish weddings in Hawaii often feature different kinds of entertainment during the event usually starting with quiet traditional Jewish music as the guests take their seats. The music changes as the wedding processional begins.  As the bride is escorted down the aisle for the ceremony, the traditional Erev Shel Shoshanim, Hana Ava Babanot or another melody of your choice might be heard. Then, after the groom steps on the glass and the guests shout “mazel tov!” the Band plays Simen Tov und Mazel Tov for a lively recessional.

During the yichud that follows (some couples use the time for family photos), the guests might have some beverages and pu-pu's (Hawaiian hors d'oeuvres) while they enjoy more Jewish music, perhaps tunes from Fiddler on the Roof or songs Molly Picon might have sung. When the bridal couple rejoins the party, the Band breaks into a medley of circle dances as the guests carry the couple aloft on chairs - after all, on their wedding day the bride and groom are the Queen and King and everyone is there to honor and entertain them.

During dinner, the Band can provide easy listening music until everyone is ready to get dancing again. Then come the waltzes, the fox trots, the cha-chas, and of course more horas. Interspersed, the Band will offer some of the most exciting and memorable performance pieces from the Yiddish stage.

Hawaii Jewish Music Group Photo

Some of our most popular songs include Hava Nagilah, Artza Alinu, Tzena, Asher Bara, Mayim, Zemer Atik, Ofn Pripetchek, My Yiddeshe Momme, Al Kol Eleh, Erev Shel Shoshanim, Iti Milvanon, Hana Ava Babanot, Dodi Li, Tumbalalaika, Oy Mame Bin Ich Farlibt, Die Greene Koseene, Yomi Yomi, Az Der Rebbe Tanzt, Rozhenkes Mit Mandlen, Bei Mir Bistu Shein, Sunrise Sunset, Shain Vi Di L'vone, Rumania, Rumania, Od Yishama, L'Cha Dodi, Shalom Aleichem, Adon Olam, Jerusalem of Gold, Cuando el Rey Nimrod, Ochi Chornia, Moscow Nights, Miserlou, Hawaiian Wedding Song, Black Orpheus, Besame Mucho, Miami Beach Rhumba, Monti's Czardas, Those Were the Days and the Anniversary Song. We play lots more, and we want to know what you'd like to hear.

All or any of this is available to you with Kona's Traveling Jewish Wedding Band. We're open to all your requests to make your simcha the best ever!

In addition, Dr. Barry Blum is a licensed Marriage and Civil Union Ceremony officiant in Hawaii. He and his wife, Gloria, perform the ceremonies together and can actually marry you and then entertain you afterwards with their Band's music! Go to www.ShalohaWeddings.com to learn more.

back to top