The East Side Trio

This ensemble performs at weddings, Bar Mizvahs and cocktail parties on weekends, and community centers during the week. Their repertoire includes an astonishing variety of music for listening and dancing. Popular American standards of the '30s, '40s and '50s are enhanced by favorites from around the world, giving the group a truly international flair. Vocal artist Deborah Karpel has delighted audiences with her renditions of jazz and torch songs, standards and Yiddish Theater songs. She began her performance career as a founding member of the improvisational comedy group "Shock of the Funny" and as a player in the Obie Award winning "Hot Keys". A trained soprano, Deborah was heard this past December as Countess Almaviva in "Le Nozze di Figaro" at Merkin Hall in NYC. Deborah is joined by accordionist Ismail Butera, who plays in a lyrical, expressive style. He plays Klezmer, Eastern European, Greek and Middle Eastern Music, as well as Continental accordion styles. Ismail has performed in Alice Tully Hall and in many festivals on the east coast, as well as in prestigious New York clubs. Bassist David Hofstra has played, toured and recorded with the likes of Philip Johnston, Bobby Previte, Joel Forrester, Guy Klucevsek and Jody Harris. He, too, appears in New York clubs regularly and is featured in the premiere issue of Bass Player magazine. Whether performing nostalgic international hits for older audiences or jazz standards for cocktail parties, the East Side Trio has something for everyone. They enjoy doing what they do best - making music.