A WALTHAMSTOW man hit the high notes with his stilt walking show during a musical bonanza.

The Jewish Music Institute, an independent arts organisation, put on the public event on Sunday at Regent's Park.

Paul Tkachenko, 33, was one of the key attractions at Klezmer in the Park.

The session musician and multi-instrumentalist serenaded visitors with his stilt band Rumpelstiltsteins.

The cultural gathering attracted more than 5,000 people.

The event was organised by the Jewish Music Institute and the Jewish News and was supported by the Mayor of London.

It celebrated Klezmer, the traditional party music from the towns and villages of Eastern Europe, and its modern interpretations.

Moving around on stilts and dressed in Fiddler on the Roof style clothes, he said: “Wherever you walk you are on stage. We get together and practise in a gym – you just need to have the confidence.”

Mr Tkachenko grew up mostly in Germany where his parents taught in an international school as part of the forces.

He said: “I am into in Eastern European music generally, so for me Klezmer is a very interesting example in the genre of world music.”

A quick costume change later he played with She’koyokh Klezmer Ensemble on the same day.

He also plays the tuba, double bass and bass guitar, and sings. He added: “I’m a musician and I do lots of different things.”

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