J&U Beat is a distinctive electronic project that explores the dialogue between traditional Yiddish music, Ukrainian folk heritage, and the pulse of modern club culture. The project brings together two musicians with a deep, interconnected history: internationally acclaimed klezmer violinist Mark Kovnatskiy and the versatile musician Daria Fomina, who plays various flutes and saxophone. Daria is originally from Kharkiv, Ukraine, from where she fled to Germany following the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. Today, both artists are based in Hamburg. Daria has already captured the attention of the German public as a member of the trio Elba Band, reaching the semi-finals of The Voice of Germany.

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Their collaboration represents a meaningful continuity of tradition. Daria’s father, Gennadiy Fomin, the clarinetist of the seminal Kharkiv Klezmer Band, was one of Mark’s very first klezmer teachers in the early 2000s. Although Mark and Daria have known each other for a long time and regularly crossed paths at international festivals, it was in late 2026 that they finally joined forces to form a dedicated project.

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In J&U Beat, traditional klezmer and authentic Ukrainian folk music are approached not as museum pieces, but as living and evolving languages. The project honors the full emotional spectrum of both traditions, from deep, melancholic, and meditative melodies to vibrant dance rhythms, reimagining them through the lens of electronic genres such as techno, funk, disco, and dub.

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Combining electronic playbacks with organic, expressive live instrumental performance, J&U Beat creates a versatile live set. The project is tailored to connect younger generations with the authentic music of their roots in a form that feels natural and compelling today. Equally suited for a prominent festival stage or an electronic music club, J&U Beat offers a fresh sonic experience where historical depth meets the modern dancefloor.

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Lineup:

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• Daria Fomina - flutes

• Mark Kovnatskiy – violin