Going stronger than ever The Django Reinhardt NY Festival and The Allstars have taken the US by storm. They are headed to New York from Paris. They land at Birdland, their official home, where it all started in 2000, with an ‘idea’ inspired by Producers Ettore Stratta and Pat Philips due to their work with famed Jazz Violinist Stephane Grappelli, Django’s partner, back in the 30’s and 40’s when they took Europe and the world by storm. The Producers set out to bring Django’s style out from underground to ‘overground’ and spread the word! Hot Jazz is better than ever and here to stay !
Legendary gypsy guitarist Dorado Schmitt , a real Django look alike, (who is also a Violinist and Composer) returns. He first came in 2002 and hasn’t missed a year yet, coming from a gypsy community Forbach, near Germany. Family members have also been coming, growing up, marrying, having their own children, and becoming virtuosos … we get to see the Schmitt family evolve right on the Birdland stage. Son, Amati Schmitt, who joined the show, was 6 when it all started…now a true gypsy guitar great. Brother, Samson, who comes in the summer, turned into a major artist and leader.
Rooted in gypsy culture The Festival is authentic in ‘heart and soul’, real atmospheric sounds of excitement and romance with rip roaring performances and beautiful melodies telling of love with ‘original music’ that brings Django’s style to today.
They are Joined by accordion whiz Ludovic Beier who also plays accordina of whom Downbeat Magazine said – “heart wrenching…as great a solo as was heard at Newport (2014)”. On Violin is Pierre Blanchard who swings like crazy, a prodigy of Stephane Grappelli. On bass is Xavier Nikq with Dorado’s cousin, Francko Mehrstein on rhythm Guitar.
Each night there is a special Jazz Great as Guest:
Tuesday, November 15: Jorge Continentino/Flute/Sax
Wednesday, November 16: Jazzmeia Horn/Vocalist, Recent Winner of the Monk Institute Vocal Competition
Thursday, November 17: Grace Kelly/Sax, Recent Winner of the Hot House Jazz Saxophone Award
Friday, November 18 & Saturday, November 19: Edmar Castaneda/Jazz Harp
Sunday, November 20: Joel Frahm, Sax
“A crowd favorite and top candidate for the hardest swinging band at the Newport Jazz Festival!” -Allen Morrison, Downbeat Magazine
BIRDLAND: 315 W. 44TH Street, NYC
Reservations: 212 581 3080 or www.birdlandjazz.com
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