The legendary Django Reinhardt NY Festival marks a major milestone this year as it celebrates its 25th anniversary with a spectacular run at Birdland from November 5-9. The Festival, which became the first Django Reinhardt tribute event in the area, has grown into one of the longest-running music festivals in New York, thanks to the unwavering support of Birdland’s owner Gianni Valenti and the incredible artists who kept the music alive through challenging times, including flying to New York just weeks after 9/11.
The Festival’s history took a pivotal turn when the iconic guitarist and violinist Dorado Schmitt first captivated Birdland audiences. His magnetic performances have since become a staple of the festival, and Schmitt has toured extensively throughout the U.S., headlining at major concert halls, festivals, and clubs. Joining him on this celebratory occasion will be his sons Samson and Amati Schmitt, both of whom grew up on the Birdland stage and have since become award-winning musicians in their own right.
Ludovic Beier, a world-renowned accordionist discovered by the festival’s producers at the age of 21, returns to join the family of musicians for this special event. Although violinist Pierre Blanchard is unable to attend this year’s celebration, he will be featured in the summer along with top bassist Antonio Licusati.
In addition to the Schmitt family and Beier, the Django Reinhardt NY Festival has welcomed some of the jazz world’s brightest stars as special guests over the years, including Ken Peplowski, Paquito D’Rivera, Anat Cohen, Cyrille Aimée, Stefon Harris, Houston Person, Randy Brecker, and Joel Frahm. The Festival’s signature spontaneity and improvisation have thrilled audiences, with jazz icons often meeting for the first time on stage, calling a number, and creating magic in real-time.
This year, the Django Festival Allstars will continue to mesmerize audiences with their blend of original compositions and Django Reinhardt favorites, earning standing ovations for their exceptional musicianship. The Festival’s lasting impact on the New York jazz scene was felt from the start. Nesuhi Ertegun, the legendary record executive, was in the audience during the Festival’s inaugural year in 2000 and remarked, “I haven’t seen this much excitement since I was a young man in the business.”
Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of gypsy jazz at Birdland from November 5-9. The Django Reinhardt NY Festival brings the timeless sound of Django Reinhardt into the present day, offering audiences a thrilling blend of tradition and innovation.
Special Guests:
- November 5: Bruce Harris / Trumpet
- November 6: Helio Alves / Jazz piano
- November 7: Tatiana Eva-Marie / Vocalist
- November 8: Ute Lemper / Songstress
- November 9: Lucy Yeghiazaryn / Vocalist
Tour Dates:
- November 5-9: Birdland, New York, NY
- November 10: Strathmore Performing Arts Center, Strathmore, MD
- November 13: Unit B by Chocolate Maven, Santa Fe, NM
- November 14: Taos Festival, Taos, NM
- November 15: Outpost, Albuquerque, NM
- November 16: Kimmel Center for Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA
- November 20: Bennington Theatre, Bennington, VT
- November 21: Jimmy’s, Portsmouth, NH
- November 22: Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga, NY
- November 23: NJPAC, Newark, NJ
SPONSORS:
- John Pearse Strings
- John & Joan D’Addario Foundation
For tickets and more information, visit www.birdlandjazz.com.
