Jakey Hoffman (1898? - 1972) played on all (ninety-three) of Kandel's
recordings - when he didn't play xylophone he played drum set. His father,
Joseph Hoffman, was a klezmer from Kriovozer in Ukraine (not far from Uman)
who played violin and trumpet at weddings in Philly. Jakey was a great
classical xylophonist who travelled with the Ballet Russes, toured on the
Keith vaudeville circuit, and played as extra percussionist with the
Philadelphia orchestra. His brother Morris (also a musician) is still alive,
and his daughter, Elaine Hoffman Watts (the first female percussionist to
graduate Curtis institute) keeps her father's legacy alive.
- from e-mail correspondence with Hankus Netsky
(Leader, Klezmer Conservatory Band)
