Oleg Lapidus

Oleg Lapidus

Born in Almaty - the capital city of the Soviet Kazakhstan (close to the birth place of the notorious Borat) in 1970, Oleg Lapidus started to play piano at the age of 11 and later decided to learn clarinet. He was accepted to Almaty Musical College (classical clarinet) and upon graduation - to Almaty State Pedagogical University (classical piano, vocal, conducting and teaching) and Almaty State Conservatoire (classical clarinet). After successfully graduating both of them with Masters Degree in Music he immigrated to Israel.

In Israel Oleg studied Jazz in Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music (Jazz Piano – Nahum Perferkovich and Jazz Sax – Boris Gammer). He played with different Dixieland, Jazz and Jewish wedding bands and he taught clarinet and piano at Jerusalem School of Music.

Mr Lapidus had numerous appearances on TV in programme “7:40” as a musician, singer and an actor. He was also published in Israeli Russian-speaking press. His novel “London Diary of a Street Musician” was a big success.

After 8 years in Israel, Oleg immigrated back to Russia and lived in Moscow for 3 years, periodically returning to London. He worked on the Russian TV channel TNT as a writer, director and editor for the talk show “Okna” (“Windows”).

In 2006-08 Oleg took part in Klezmer and Jazz festivals in Moscow (Dona-Fest, Yiddish-Fest), Klezfest in St. Petersburg and Klezfest in London, Covent Garden Jazz Festival. Now back in London Oleg plays Gypsy Jazz in Quequmbar, Greek music with Greek function band ZOI, Klezmer with different Klezmer bands and solo with his backing tracks in clubs, hotels, live music bars and restaurants across England. He professionally teaches piano, clarinet, flute and sax.