Django’s unmistakable cool and jumpin’ jole de vivre have made him an icon for an unlikely range of luminaries from Carlos Santana to Eric Clapton, guitar greats! Jimi Hendrix named his “big band of gypsies” in tribute, and Willie Nelson adopted his influence in “country-swing.”
The Django Festival Allstars have grown into a brilliantly cohesive group of star musicians who've taken America by storm, performing at top concert halls and festivals to standing ovations. In July, they are back at Birdland, their official home in the U.S., which began in 2020. Ahmet Ertegun, who was present, said “ I haven’t seen this much excitement since I was a young man.
The music speaks of Paris in the 20s and 30s when “gitane” music filled the air, in the cafés, the streets, in the countryside, a romantic Paris with lovers, campfires, a time of Montmartre, la belle époque, le Boudon café, café au lait, luscious pastry, and a great glass of wine. Django was "king". He teamed with great Jazz Violinist Stephane Grappelli and made musical history.
The Django Festival Allstars bring this music to 'today'... combining known standards and original music...intoxicating!! They swing like crazy and will break your heart with a ballad.
“Sensational... Standout performance... Hardest swinging band at the Newport Jazz Festival” –Downbeat Magazine
Ken Peplowski/Clarinet-July 12 & 16, James Carter/Sax- 13
Edmar Castaneda/Jazz Harp-14, John DiMartino/Piano – 15
Houston Person/Sax-17
For information on the entire July tour, click here: www.djangobirdland.com
Birdland: 315 W. 44th Street. Reservations: 212 581-3080 Or birdlandjazz.com
Shows:
July 12 – 14 @ 7 and 9:30 PM
July 15 - 17 @ 8:30 and 10:30
