I have Jew envy.

My Jewish friends are some of the smartest, funniest, creative folks I know. They can lay claim to chicken noodle soup with matzo balls, Woody Allen, kickass dances like the hora, and some of the best weddings I’ve ever been to. But you know what I envy most? Klezmer is the music of their peeps. Sigh.

I love Klezmer. And I think you would, too, if you heard the local Richmond band My Son, the Doctor, a wonderful ensemble that University of Richmond English professor Louis Schwartz leads. You can learn more about the band and all of the fab musicians on their official Web page.

The band members are first rate. When I hear their rhythmic, minor-key melodies, I want to clap my hands and tap my toes. Also—though I can’t even begin to understand the lyrics, I feel like they’re speaking to me anyway.

Check out one of their recent performances at Elwood’s Café last August and you’ll see what I mean.

You can hear them again tomorrow night at the Camel on 1621 Broad Street, a great venue for local music. Sunday, September 11, is World Music Night, and My Son the Doctor is part of the line up. Music begins at 9 p.m., and the cover is only $5.

So I’m not Jewish but I can still get my Jewish jones by listening to the soulful and beautiful sound of an accordion mixed with a clarinet—the keystone of all Klezmer music.

And since this is my blog, well, here’s me playing the only Klezmer song I know. I think I need to learn another one.