The Flying Bulgars (formerly the Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band) is a Toronto-based ensemble that plays original music rooted in the folk and celebration music of Jews originating in Eastern Europe. The band has been a significant part of the so-called 'Klezmer Revival' that began in the early 1980s, both in Canada and around the world. Formed by trumpeter and bandleader David Buchbinder in 1987, and now co-lead with Dave Wall, The Flying Bulgars (the Bulgar in the group's name refers to a dance form not an ethnic group) were a product of the rebirth of interest in Yiddish culture in North America.

In 2008, the group has reached its 20th anniversary -- and to celebrate: the release of their sixth CD this November. All new, original material with songs written for the first time in English are presented with a contemporary folk/alternative sound yet with a solid Jewish-themed foundation. Full of darkness and hope, the tunes mix poetry, anger and longing in a heady mix of Klezmer-inspired melodies. With a fullyorchestrated alt-pop sound recorded with the help of Dave Newfield, the mastermind behind successful productions such as Broken Social Scene, it is a time of creative renewal for a band with intents of reinventing itself and moving towards a wider audience.

Leader, main composer and founder David Buchbinder has studied with some of the most accomplished jazz men around, from Freddie Stone to Kenny Wheeler to Muhal Richard Abrams. He is at home playing many styles of contemporary music and is breaking out as a composer of film and concert music. In addition to leading his own group, drummer Max Senitt has a focus on Latin music and has played with professionals such as Hilario Duran. Tania Gill is the pianist and composes for several jazz ensembles. Bass master, Victor Bateman recently returned to the band after a long absence, well known for his work with an almost infinite variety of jazz, folk, world and pop artists. Peter Lutek's skills as a tenor and soprano saxophonist and with the clarinet have been appreciated by several philharmonic orchestras. Lead vocalist Dave Wall came to the Flying Bulgars from the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir with whom he recorded three CDs.

The Flying Bulgars combine a love for tradition with a fearless commitment to experimentation that has drawn in fans from across Canada and internationally. From the Folk on the Rocks Festival in Yellowknife to the WOMAD festival in Morcombe, England, to the Tollwood Festival in Munich, to the Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival in New York, the music is far from the traditional Klezmer found at weddings and bar mitzvahs -- it is a dynamic force in Canadian contemporary World Music. The Bulgars have recorded five CDs and have received two Juno nominations, and they are still the only Klezmer band to have created a music video which received much airplay on MuchMusic.