Spirit of Django Reinhardt Concert 2006

Press release
Source: Jazz Promo Services

On August 1, 2006, The SPIRIT OF DJANGO REINHARDT Concert event moves to the “new and prestigious” FREDERICK P. ROSE HALL, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street, NYC, produced by Pat Philips & Ettore Stratta. DJANGO, legendary gypsy guitarist and his music, traces back to the 30’s and 40’s in Europe/Paris where the legendary gypsy guitarist, DJANGO teamed with jazz violin virtuoso STEPHANE GRAPPELLI, and the rest is history. It was the greatest musical partnership in Europe, a “hot swing’ form of jazz creating a special sound, swinging and romantic, that to this day mesmerizes the audience with its virtuosity and heartfelt beauty.

The Spirit of Django concert will include a cast of legendary players including TCHAVOLO SCHMITT from Strasbourg-France, who falls under the purest tradition of DJANGO REINHARDT to which he is the worthy heir. He crystallizes all that the music represents for Manouches, the simplicity combined with humility, exceptional virtuosity and joy. It is with great anticipation that TCHAVOLO is arriving !

He is the cousin of the ‘gypsy star’ DORADO SCHMITT, leader/guitarist/violinist/ Composer, who is returning due to very popular demand! Dorado, a true Django gypsy disciple, also from the Strasbourg area, is the cousin of Tchavolo. He is joined again by his son, SAMSON SCHMITT who has become the rage of Europe with his dynamic attack of Django’s style and will be featured! SCHMITT, SCHMITT, and SCHMITT…a real family musical tradition of the highest order!!!

FLORIN NICULESCU, internationally acclaimed jazz violinist is a captivating musician, classically trained but linking gypsy tradition to diverse forms of jazz with his outstanding virtuosity also his spiritual affinity with Grappelli. Born in Romania, he comes to us from Paris.

LUDOVIC BEIER also returns to great demand. He is a brilliant accordionist, composer, and producer from Paris, now also performing on the ‘accordina’. He swings like mad and breaks your heart with a ballad. Ludovic recently appeared in the very successful Celebration of Toots Thielemans at Carnegie Hall.

New to The Spirit of Django Concert this year is young PETER BEETS, young top jazz pianist from Holland with a very special talent for the music of Django Reinhardt. JOEL FRAHM, American jazz saxman joins the program as he has a very special feeling and ‘gift’ for Django’s music.

Our very own BRIAN TORFF will be on Bass and serve as a Musical Director with the Producers. Having traveled the world with the great Stephane Grappelli and the likes of George Shearing, the musicians are in good ‘bass hands’!

Pat Philips & Ettore Stratta are producing The Spirit of Django Reinhardt for the 4th year which has grown out of the Django Reinhardt Festival at Birdland they launched in 2000. “The demand for this music is alive and strong!”... The Producers

A new DVD of The Django Festival at Birdland 2005 is being released in time for the Spirit of Django Concert and will be on sale at the concert as well as online at www.djangobirdland.com.
Presenter: The GRAND MARNIER FOUNDATION
With the Cooperation and Assistance of Midori and Friends
With support of the John and Joan D’Addario Foundation

Additional Sponsors
Stoli Russian Vodka
RD Wright, Inc.
The Buckingham Hotel (57th Street at Sixth Avenue)
John Pearse Strings
Village Voice: Media Sponsor
WBGO 88.3 FM
Dell’Arte Instruments
Roland Corporation US

Tickets
Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office
Broadway at 60th Street, Ground Floor
Mon. – Sat. 10 am – 8:30
Sun. 11 am – 8:30pm
Centercharge 212 721-6500
www.jalc.org

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