Aaron "Duckmandu" Seeman (Accordion)

Glenn Hartman (Accordion)

...has degrees from Tulane University, writing an MFA thesis on “The Historical Development of Klezmer.” He lived in New Orleans for twenty years and performed regularly at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festivals. He has toured and recorded internationally since 1991, playing Hammond B-3, piano, and accordion. His band, the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, is known for crossing over into the rock 'n' roll world, and has played on Central Park Summer Stages, The Mall in D.C. on the Fourth of July, The Hollywood Bowl, The H.O.R.D.E. Tour, Barbican Center in London, and the Berlin Jazz Festival. After Hurricane Katrina sent him and his family to San Francisco in 2005, Glenn performed with his own band, The Klezmer Playboys, and The Ark Project with Frank London.  He played on the "Beats Without Borders" CD.

Rob Reich (Accordion)

...composes and performs on many instruments, in many styles. In addition to playing klezmer with Kugelplex, he also plays gypsy jazz with Gaucho, southern soul with Lord Loves A Working Man, and composes for the theater troupe Rococo Risque and Circus Bella. Basically he can play any tune in tune on any instrument in any style on the spot. He's so busy with so many bands, as well as fatherhood, that he stopped performing regularly with the Chachkas after the "Spice It Up!" CD.  See robreich.com

Mwanza Furaha (Vocals)

... is a gifted vocalist who sings with us on occasion, with material ranging from jazz standards to blues to Yiddish favorites. Mwanza's earlier years of development were nurtured through talent shows at school and the youth choir at the Baptist Church. Soon after, she began frequenting clubs in the East Bay and the South Bay, where she worked with many jazz legends. She has performed extensively in SF & LA, Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Washington, DC and state, Oregon, Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, and the Philippines. She teaches voice and acting.

Bruce Bierman (Dance Leader)

....is the artistic director of the Jewish Dance Theatre, and creates theatrical performances, dance workshops and arts education programs for all ages. Bruce also danced with the acclaimed Aman International Folk Ensemble and has performed and taught world dance to youth and adults throughout the United States.

Stuart Brotman (Bass, Tsimbl)

...is the son of a Jewish carpenter. He has been recording, touring, and teaching New Jewish Music with world class ensemble, Brave Old World since 1989, and now with klezmer power-trio Veretski Pass. He has been a moving force in the Klezmer revival since its beginning, and has performed with many groups, including The Klezmorim, Kapelye, Andy Statman, The Klezmer Conservatory Band, The San Francisco Klezmer Experience, Khevrisa, and Itzhak Perlman. He played on our "Family Album" CD.

Laurie Lippin (Accordion)

...was our original accordionist, and played on our "Family Album" CD. She now performs in the Cotati-Santa Rosa area.

Paul Alexander (Clarinet)

...was our original clarinetist, and played on our "Family Album" CD. Since 2002, Paul has been the leader of the Petaluma-based Jubilee Klezmer Band.

Daniel Sundy (Bass)

...was our original bassist in 1999, while still a student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and graduated to pursue a classical music career in Germany.

Matthew Sperry (Bass)

...was best known for his bass work with free improvised music, but he also worked extensively in the realms of subterranean pop, Jewish wedding music, and experimental chamber works. Matthew recorded with Tom Waits and Anthony Braxton, and on numerous collaborations on Limited Sedition. He was a featured performer in the 2003 San Francisco production of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch."  He joined the Chachkas right after we played at his wedding reception, and was a member of the group until a tragic bike accident on June 5, 2003.