7th Annual Django Reinhardt Festival at Birdland

Press release
Source: Jim Eigo

The Schmitts (Dorado, Samson, and Tchavolo: father – son – and cousin) return, three true blue gypsy guitar greats with large personalities from the Strasbourg region in France near Germany. Dorado actually lives on Rue Stephane Grappelli. They perform in the Manouche tradition, each with his own style, all virtuosos of the music of Django - hot, romantic, and joyous!

Joining them will be the accordion whiz, Ludovic Beier from Paris who has dazzled us with his virtuosity on the accordion and has also taken up the ‘accordina,’ a very fascinating instrument. Adorable, young, Alexandre Cavaliere on violin comes from Belgium and brings an excitement and joy to the ensemble. Brian Torff, who toured with Stephane Grappelli for years, is our bassist and Musical Director.

The Festival also introduces a new young guitar talent from Philadelphia, Kruno, on Nov. 9th.

Added to all that, each night, an American Jazz great will join in including DOMINICK FARINACCI on trumpet—listen to him play a beautiful version of Django’s tune “Tears”! (Nov. 7), Hot Hot JAMES CARTER saxist steps in (Nov. 8), the rich sound of JOEL FRAHM on sax (Nov. 9), the other Benny Goodman - KEN PEPLOWSKI (Nov. 10), dazzling RAY KENNEDY- former pianist for John Pizzarelli (Nov. 11), and Venezuelan harpist EDMAR CASTANEDA (Nov. 12). And there are always some surprises !

The Festival is Produced by Pat Philips & Ettore Stratta and carries on the legacy of the music of DJANGO REINHARDT bringing top musicians together inspired by the enormous talent of legendary guitarist DJANGO which traces back to the 30’s and 40’s in Europe where he teamed with virtuoso jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli to form the Hot Club Quintette, and the rest is history. A special hot swing form of jazz was created that was romantic, virturosic, dazzling, and original in style. It took Europe by storm !

Pat Philips and Ettore Stratta are very proud to announce the new Presenter of the Festival, STOLICHNAYA RUSSIAN VODKA.

The Producers are also announcing that there is a new DVD of the Festival, 2005, which will be on sale at the Festival and on www.djangobirdland.com .

Participating Sponsors:
RD Wright, Inc.
John Pearse Strings
Chivas Regal
Jacob’s Creek
Wild Turkey Bourbon
Perrier Jouet
Dell’ Arte Instruments
Buckingham Hotel
Mack Avenue Jazz
(The debut release from Hot Club of Detroit available now on Mack Avenue Records, www.mackaverecords.com)
*With the support of the John and Joan D’Addario Foundation

For Reservations: Call Birdland: 212 581 3080
Show times: 8:00 and 11:00, Tues. thru Sun.
Cover $35 (Tues., Wed., Thurs, Sun.)
$40 (Fri. and Sat
$10 Minimum
Excellent food – Parking available nearby

HOT JAZZ !
The Festival will also be on tour:
Nov. 3rd: the Earshot Jazz Festival,Triple Door Concert Hall, Seattle
Nov. 4th: Jazz Montana, Emerson Hall, Bozeman, Montana
Nov. 5th: San Francisco Festival, Herbst Hall, San Francisco