Gustavo Bulgach lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina until 1992, then moved to NYC (where he met and collaborated with KEVIN JOHANSEN, a US-born, Argentina-raised singer-songwriter, now very popular worldwide). In 1993 moved to L.A. Formed the band BLACK COFFEE AND JAM, which became the HOUSE OF BLUES FOUNDATION HOUSE BAND and worked in the HOLLYWOOD venue for over 6 years. During this time, Gustavo also performed and recorded with several artists such as EL GENERAL (Panamanian rapper), Jumpin’ Jimes (swing band), Adam Rudolph and GO! The Organic Orchestra, among others.
Gustavo received musical training mostly from private teachers in Buenos Aires, as well as attending music courses in NYC and Los Angeles, where he now lives.
Gustavo’s music mentor is BENNIE MAUPIN, a legendary Saxophone and Bass Clarinet player. Under Bennie’s mentorship, the full potential of his Klezmer music came to fruition. Bennie encouraged him to be “The BEST Gustavo Bulgach” he could be and to challenge himself to bring out and share his musical identity. “You are Jewish, and Argentinian, that in itself is a vast and profound background, and you have to represent yourself, your family and your people in every single note you play, that is the true mission of a MUSICIAN. You do not choose the music, the music chooses you”.
Gustavo soon recorded the first KLEZMER JUICE album called ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS and became an international Rcording artist for ARC Music International, recording for them 3 more Albums. traveling the world and discovering that KLEZMER MUSIC is the soundtrack of the Diaspora. His latest Cd is Called JEWFRO!
In 2006 Gustavo recorded a tune for and acted in the movie, THE WEDDING CRASHERS, gaining almost instant recognition as a New Sound in Klezmer music. “His tribute to the song HAVA NAGILAH is becoming the new standard for every party”, according to Billboard magazine.
Klezmer Juice continues with live performances and new recordings with great reception from both the “old” generation and the “new”.
Gustavo Bulgach lives in VENICE, California with his wife CYNTHIA BULGACH-HILL and their daughter CATALINA.
What is Gustavo’s inspiration? “Everything I know about Klezmer I’ve learned from my grandfather and the fact that my MOM used to sing both Yiddish and Hebrew songs all day long at home…that’s how you truly learn this craft", muses Gustavo.
As a Russian immigrant, Samuel Bulgach came to Argentina back at the turn of the last century from KIEV. He helped build a Synagogue, which then expanded to a school, where he was president for many years. Gustavo says; “We used to go to the synagogue, you know, the Hassidic ones where the men gather on the first floor and the women go up to the second floor, and watch both the services and the weddings. I fell in love with the YIDDISH ORCHESTRA. Every time I play, I feel like I’m playing with that orchestra”
Klezmer Juice CDs can be bough at CDbaby.com site
klezmerjuice@gmail.com