Last week, I went to see "David Krakauer Returns," a concert that opened the Jewish Music Festival. At the theater, there were a lot of senior citizens, so I thought, "Oh, man, this could possibly be the most boring show of the century."

Boy, was I wrong! Along with Krakauer, the concert featured violinist Nurit Pacht and Aron Zelkowicz, a local cellist and founder of the Jewish Music Festival. They were accompanied by musicians from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

The concert lasted about two hours. Pacht and Zelkowicz played beautifully and with such feeling that I felt the emotion right along with them. But the real star was Krakauer, who started playing clarinet when he was very young but didn't discover klezmer, which is European Jewish folk music, until he was 30. Before that he played jazz. He has an impressive discography and has played many venues around the world, including the Venice Biennale and Carnegie Hall.

He plays expertly and held notes so long it was astounding. He played many songs, including a piece by Ernest Bloch, the famed Jewish composer, to honor the 50th anniversary of Bloch's death. He also played some classic klezmer pieces such as "Der Heyser Bulgar."

The first concert of the Jewish Music Festival was great, and I can't wait to hear more. It is not too late for you to hear some amazing performers.

There is one more concert, which features The Andy Statman Trio, Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Katz Theatre in the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill. Tickets are available online at www.pjmf.net or at the door.