David Krakauer's THE BIG PICTURE to Open 1/29 at Museum of Jewish Heritage

"THE BIG PICTURE", a cinematic concert with music performed by Krakauer, will open Wednesday, January 29th, 2014 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in downtown Manhattan. Performances will continue Wednesdays and Sundays, February 2-23, 2014. The CD will be released on February 18.

PERFORMANCE LINE UP:

- David Krakauer

clarinet

- Rob Schwimmer

piano, keys, theremin

- Sara Caswell

violin

- Mark Helias

double bass

- Sheryl Bailey

guitar

- John Hadfield

drums, percussion

David Krakauer showcases his new project, THE BIG PICTURE, a powerful new multi-media production at Edmond J. Safra Hall in the Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust downtown, THE BIG PICTURE tells Krakauer's story in an artful marriage of music and the moving image.

The clarinetist has taken themes from iconic films with Jewish content and re-imagined them with a band of world-class musicians. Each movie has a special Jewish connection - whether emphasizing the director, actors, composer, or Jewish tradition, from topics of war and persecution to sophisticated satire and farce. (Sophie's Choice, Life is Beautiful, Lenny, The Producers, Fiddler on the Roof.)

This project may be Krakauer's most adventurous to date and will run for a period of four weeks - a first for the venue. To lend creative intrigue, New York graphics giant Light of Day has created original films for the production. Instead of using the visual element as a creative starting point, Krakauer's music serves as the catalytic agent. The visuals embrace Krakauer?s adventurous and individual spirit of self-discovery.

The Museum itself serves as a compelling location for this residency. It overlooks the New York Harbor, a reminder of the Jewish and non-Jewish immigrants landing on Ellis Island bringing their hopes, stories and vast cultural heritage to this new promised land. Krakauer, whose own ancestors immigrated from Eastern Europe, became one of the most important innovators in Klezmer music, contextualizing the ancestral sounds of his heritage into a distinctive, personal voice.

"THE BIG PICTURE is a special kind of project," says Krakauer. "It's a tour through Jewish history, and an exploration of how the movies show us the universality of our individual quests. I want this experience to serve as an opportunity for all. I am privileged to be the tour guide for this incredible voyage.

The CD will be available online and in stores nationwide on February 18, 2014. As a courtesy and service to the audience the recording will be available at all performances as a special pre-sale.

PERFORMANCE DATES PREMIERE: WED, JAN. 29 AT 7.30PM EXTENDED RUN: SUN, FEB 2 AT 2 PM; WED, FEB. 5 AT 7.30 PM; SUN, FEB. 9 AT 2PM; WED, FEB. 12 AT 7.30PM; SUN, FEB. 16 AT 2 PM; WED, FEB. 19 AT 7.30PM; SUN, FEB. 23 AT 2PM. TICKETS: $35 General, $30 Seniors/Students, $25 Members

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE, DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN The Museum?s exhibitions educate people of all ages and backgrounds about the rich tapestry of Jewish life over the past century-before, during, and after the Holocaust. Edmond J. Safra Hall, the 375-seat state-of-the-art theater offers unobstructed views with great acoustics from every seat in the house. For more information, visit www.mjhnyc.org/bigpicture.

ADDRESS - Edmond J. Safra Hall, 36 Battery Place, New York, NY 10280, Ph: 646-437-4202

For further information on David Krakauer, visit www.davidkrakauer.com.