Wed 8/19 @ 7PM
The “Hot Club” jazz sound was all the rage in 1930s, driven by musicians such as violinist Stephane Grapelli and guitarist Django Reinhardt, who captured the transitional era’s (and city’s) cosmopolitan vibe. Its distinctive sound is sometimes referred to as “Gypsy jazz,” a nod to Reinhardt’s Romani roots. That sound has captivated many subsequent generations of musicians and music lovers. In recent decades, it’s had a resurgence with new “Hot Club” ensembles spring up everywhere.
The Django Festival Allstars, who will be at Cain Park this week, features five noted musicians whose resumes of collaborations are lengthy. Guitarist Samson Schmitt, accordion player Ludovic Beier, violinist Pierre Blanchard, bassist Antonio Licusati and rhythm guitarist Francko Mehrstein have extensive backgrounds in jazz and classical music, and the ensemble has performed with many big names in jazz including multi-instrumentalist Joe Lovano, the late clarinetist/sax player Ken Peplowski (both Cleveland natives who went on to wider success), trumpet player Randy Becker and vocalist Cyrille Aimee.
Go here to get tickets.
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