Biography:

Shir is the “complete” Jewish music group playing Klezmer, Israeli, Yiddish, Sephardi, Mizrachi, Ladino and Simcha instrumental and vocal music and provides a spontaneous, energetic, soulful and “heimische” musical experience in concert or party situation.

Formed in 1997 by Maurice Chernick the group has been offering quality Jewish music at concerts and charity events in the UK, and at numerous Simchas thereby fulfilling the original function of the Klezmorim.
Originally an acoustic quartet the band became a quintet in 2010 with the arrival of Israeli percussionist Ronen Kozokaro joining long standing members Maurice Chernick (clarinet, voice), Ivor Goldber (guitars, vocals), Piotr Jordan (violin) and Steve Rose (bass).

For the past 3 years Shir has been performing regularly in Spain (Madrid and Santander), and last summer were at festivals in Madrid and Cordoba at the invitation of Casa Sefarad (a Jewish Cultural department of the Spanish Ministry of Culture).

Shir was invited to play at the Salute To Israel in Trafalgar Square, the Kindertransport 70th Reunion, the Maccabi GB 70th Gala and Limmud in the UK and Holland, and won the Best Yiddish Song Performance Prize at the International Jewish Music Festival 2010 in Amsterdam.

The group has recorded 3 Cds: “From The Heart”, “Israeli Songs” (ARC), and their latest recording, “Ashk’farad” (ARC), a collection of Klezmer and Ladino songs and instrumentals. All CDs are available from Shir’s website and as downloads.