The Semi-Annual Django Reinhardt NY Festival 2012

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Parent Category: Other Festivals

Category: Music

Published on Sunday, 10 June 2012 21:59

Written by Joanne Choi

Calling all jazz lovers out there!

The Django Reinhardt NY Festival returns June 19-24, 2012, at the great Manhattan jazz club Birdland for another year of jazzy music with the "Young Lions of Gypsy Jazz" from France featuring artists Anat Cohen (saxophone, clarinet -- June 19 & 20), Cyrille Aimee (vocals -- June 23 & 24), and Grace Kelly (sax -- June 21 & 22).

The Django Reinhardt NY Festival carries on the legacy of legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, but displays it being performed by a new generation doing some new songs and interpretations to keep his innovations fresh, exciting, and cutting-edge… but true to the hot jazz romantic style that had exploded across the US in the 1920s and '30s.

with the launching of the Festival at Birdland in 2000 it has continued with tours at such prestigious venues as The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Disney Hall in Los Angeles and at The San Francisco edition of the festival.

Leader of “Young Lions of Gypsy Jazz,” Samson Schmitt, guitar great and son of legendary gypsy star Dorado Schmitt, will return in November. Samson, out on his own now, is a rising star all over Europe. Full of talent and personality, he grew up alongside his dad on the Birdland stage having appeared there for over 10 years.

Samson comes from the Strasbourg region of France -- part of the Manouche gypsy culture -- and is joined by the very popular Ludovic Beier on accordion and accordina. From Paris, he is a familiar favorite face on the Hot Jazz scene at Birdland and on tour, along with the great violinist and fellow Parisian Pierre Blanchard.

A newcomer at last year's fest, French rhythm guitarist Doudou Cutillerier created a great energy, and his surprisingly improvisational scat-singing brought the house down. The club's own Brian Torff supports the band on bass and by hosting the fun on the stage. 

Special guest is Evan Perri of The Hot Club in Detroit, Michigan. His new CD Junction will be released in July by MackAvenue Records.

This year’s festival will also be opening on the World Yacht August 3rd with “The Hot Club of Detroit.”

The Young Lions of Gypsy Jazz are also scheduled to perform at the Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, June 15 & 16 -- a special event not to be missed.

In November they will again be back at this important festival as they celebrate its 30-year anniversary at the SF Performing Arts Center.

Birdland, home’ of Django’s music in the US will be swinging again from June 19th – 24th, joined by great women in jazz.

The festival is produced by Pat Philips and Ettore Stratta.

For more information on this event visit: www.birdlandjazz.com

The Django Reinhardt NY Festival
June 19 - 24, 2012

Birdland
315 W. 44th Street (bet. 8th and 9th Avenues)
New York, NY 

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