Pat Philips announces the much-anticipated return of the Django Reinhardt NY Festival, taking place from November 14th to 19th at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club. This year marks the 24th anniversary of the festival, celebrating the enduring legacy of gypsy jazz icon Django Reinhardt.
Legendary Gypsy Violinist/Guitarist Dorado Schmitt is returning to Birdland’s stage for the first time in over four years, alongside his incredibly gifted sons, Samson & Amati on guitar. The family ensemble also includes cousins Francko Mehrstein on rhythm guitar and Gino Roman on bass, hailing from the Lorraine region of France—Reinhardt's stomping grounds, where his music remains a divine force.
Throughout the week, the festival will feature a lineup of special guests that include Anat Cohen on clarinet/sax, Edmar Castaneda on jazz harp, Ken Peplowski on clarinet, vocalist/guitarist Madeleine Peyroux, trumpet virtuoso Randy Brecker, and the illustrious saxophonist Houston Person.
The New York Times celebrates the festival's “buoyant rhythm, blinding technique, and solid entertainment,” while Downbeat Magazine calls it “sensational.” The LA Scene credits The Django Festival Allstars with the high point of the entire Playboy Festival at the Hollywood Bowl.
Django Reinhardt’s music—synonymous with cool and noted for its jumpin’ joie de vivre—continues to inspire generations. The Parisian air of the '20s and '30s was ripe with the 'gitane' sounds that led to the historical partnership of Reinhardt with French Jazz Violinist Stephane Grappelli, birthing "Hot Gypsy Jazz" and The Hot Club Quintette. Today, the same music lifts spirits and invites audiences to dance, while ballads from the era evoke a profound sense of romance.
Django Festival Allstars Tour:
- NOVEMBER 10: The Royal Conservatory, Toronto, Canada
- 11: Palais Montcalm Maison de la Musique, Quebec, Canada
- 12: Barrington Stage Co., Pittsfield, MA
- 14 - 19: BIRDLAND, NYC
- 21: MoCA Museum of Contemporary Art, Westport, CT
- 24- 26: San Francisco Jazz Festival, Minor Auditorium
- 27: Kuumbwa, Santa Cruz, CA
- 30: Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles
- DECEMBER 2 - 3: Izzy AsperJazz Performance, Winnipeg, Canada
Tickets for the Birdland performances and additional tour dates are available now. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this historic jazz event.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Birdland’s official website.
