"Masterful musicianship, tricky solos and fancy vocal work are all the signs of a good klezmer disc, and The Sisters of Sheynville deliver on all accounts." NOW Magazine, Aug. 2008

"...the most fun and unexpected addition to NXNE" CHART ATTACK, June 2008

"[The Sisters] electrify audiences wherever they go" Canadian Jewish News, Nov. 2007

The Sisters of Sheynville have just been named Vocal Group of the Year at the 2008 Canadian Folk Music Awards and were nominated for World Group of the Year. This soulful group revitalizes Yiddish swing and klezmer music from the golden age of the mid-20th century fused with contemporary jazz. Inspired by the Barry Sisters' Yiddish swing vocals of the 30's and 40's, this high-energy, all-female sextet features intricate three-part harmony supported by a crack ensemble of some ofToronto's leading jazz and klezmer instrumentalists.

Since the release of their critically-acclaimed debut CD Sheynville Express in 2007, the Sisters have emerged as one of the most exciting new ensembles on the World Music scene.Their 13-song album, produced by Beyond the Pale's Eric Stein, showcases their own arrangements of traditional klezmer and yiddish pieces, a bouncy 1930s Czech love song, an original swing tune, classic blues, and even a female, vegan take on Johnny Mercer's standard I'm an Old Cow Hand.

The Sisters were founded by Isabel Fryszberg, and Lenka Lichtenberg, two talented vocalists who while from separate sides of the Atlantic share the Eastern European Jewish family experience and a driving passion for their music.The Sisters are now reaching audiences far beyond the mythical city of Sheynville. The release of Sheynville Express has led to appearances in major Jewish festivals in Washington, Winnipeg and at Ashkenaz in Toronto, as well as NXNE in 2008. They have begun the 2009 season with booking in Los Angeles, Vancouver, San Francisco and San Diego.

The Sisters are:
Lenka Lichtenberg (vocals)
Isabel Fryszberg (vocals)
Fern Lindzon(p iano, vocals)
Kinneret Sagee (clarinet)
Rachel Melas (double bass)
Lorie Wolf (drums)

About the Musicians

LENKA LICHTENBERG (vocals, tambourine)
Lenka is a Prague-born singer, composer, arranger, producer, ethnomusicologist, cantorial soloist and the Sisters' bandleader. In 2006, Czech TV has made a documentary about her unlikely journey, and in November, 2007, the prestigious music magazine Harmony devoted four pages to an interview with her. She performs internationally (since 2004: festivals and concerts in Holland, Germany, Vienna, New York, Prague, Australia, England and Switzerland). Her critically acclaimed third CD, Pashtes, (in Yiddish), a collaboration with Brian Katz, was released at the Ashkenaz festival in Sept. 06. It is now receiving airplay in 23 countries. Apart from the Sisters, Lenka performs as a duo with Brian, solo, and with other world music artists. For audio samples and reviews, visit www.lenkalichtenberg.com.


ISABEL FRYSZBERG (vocals)
Isabel, the band's creative director and the originator of the band's concept, is Canadian born to Polish Yiddish immigrants. She is a roots-based fiddler, singer/songwriter, musician and artist, who has made two documentary films. Isabel is also an occupational therapist who uses art for healing and social change in a program she developed with St. Michael's Hospital called the Creative Works Studio www.creativeworks-studio.ca. Visit Isabel's Facebook.

FERN LINDZON (piano, voice)
Currently preparing for the launch of her debut CD (early 2008), Fern is well known as a jazz pianist, singer, and arranger. Fern's most recent Toronto performances include engagements at the Opal Jazz Lounge,(solo, and duo with George Koller), and with her trio at The Rex and the Trane Studio Jazz Lounge. Her jazz trio has also performed at both the Distillery and Beaches Jazz Festivals as well as Downsview Park Fall Festival. Fern's other klezmer-related activities include performing with the Lithuanian Empire and Nigunim. For more information about Fern, musical excerpts, photos, and a slide show, visit www.fernlindzon.com.

RACHEL MELAS (string bass)
Born in New York City, Rachel Melas started playing Bass in 1976 at the age of 16. Since then, she has played music continually in many different settings. She has been a bump on the log of Canadian music for the last 25 years performing every thing from the post punk groove music of the Animal Slaves to the World beat of Mother Tongue and the atmospheric Folk of the Courage of Lassie, amongst others. Playing string bass in a Klezmer-Swing band is the logical culmination of a long and varied career. She currently performs with Cajun dance band Swamperella www.swamperella.com, Alistair Christl and the Swingin Chandeliers and singer songwriter Max Woolaver. www.myspace.com/rachelmelas.


KINNERET SAGEE (clarinet)
A recent newcomer to Toronto, Kinneret is an active part of the music scene in the GTA and can be seen regularily with the Sisters of Sheynville as well as Nigunim and the Lithuanian Empire, as well as with other orchestras around town. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Alberta, and a Master of Music degree in clarinet performance from Miami University of Ohio. Kinneret has performed internationally at Carnegie Hall in New York City, in Southern France and the Netherlands. Her musical styles include Classical and Klezmer, where she has had extensive study in both.


LORIE WOLF (drums)
Lorie Wolf has performed in clubs and festivals all over Toronto and the GTA, playing klezmer, Latin, jazz and world music. She is a member of a number of bands, including the Lithuanian Empire. She completed her bachelor's degree in fine arts at York University in Toronto, Canada, and a music degree at Humber College. In December, 2007, she has received a grant for the recording of her original composition Taybele's Dream. Lorie is also a certified teacher in Ontario and works with Learning Through the Arts, an organization that promotes arts-based education in the classroom. Learn more about Lorie, see photos and read about upcoming gigs at www.loriewolf.com.