Ian Cook, of The Cook Trio, is selling Favino #1087 for $6500.
Every Monday, Hot Club Pacific can be seen at SOIF in downtown Santa Cruz from 7-9 PM
Gypsy Jazz lives on California's Central Coast. Come out and support it!
Soif Wine Bar & Restaurant
Tel:831.423.2020
Address: 105 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Some jazz artists release new albums with such frequency that it is difficult to remember the sequence of their discography. Not so with John Jorgenson. Today John released his 4th Jazz album in 22 years. In fairness, the time between the first (After You've gone, 1988) and the second (Franco-American Swing, 2004) is largely explained by the fact that John was pretty busy in the intervening years playing with Elton John and the Hellecasters. Since 2004, John released UltraSpontane in 2007 and now One Stolen Night. These last two releases feature the John Jorgenson Quintet, probably the most successful Gypsy jazz outfit in the US (if not the world).
John HAD to do a new album. His entire band is made up of new members since the release of his last CD. In fact, one of the "new" members of the quintet has already left (Doug Martin has taken the rhythm guitar chair as Kevin Nolan has moved back to Europe).
The new album is a collection of 8 Jorgenson originals with 4 Gypsy jazz standards and 1 old time jazz tune.
The musicianship of this quintet is SUPERLATIVE! John may well be the best guitarist playing Gypsy jazz in the US. Simon Planting is probably the best bassist playing Gypsy jazz in the world. Kevin Nolan is as solid a Gypsy Jazz rhythm guitarist as they come, and Rick Reed (percussion) and Jason Anick (violin) handle their respective instruments with great aplomb.
One of the Gypsy jazz standards played is Robin Nolan's "Mediterranean Blues". Quite appropriate as the band contained two Robin Nolan trio alumni (Nolan and Planting). On "Billet Doux", "Hungaria" and "Norwegian Dance", John channels the spirit of Django with uncanny precision. The old time standard "Dr. Jazz" features John on reeds and vocals.
Of the 8 Jorgenson Originals, my favorite is " Souvenirs Des Nos Peres", a haunting composition finding John again on reeds. On "Istiqbal Solo" John plays solo guitar, evoking the sound of Django on the "Improvisations".
This album, while offering breathtaking virtuosity and some superb new compositions, breaks little new ground (John does play the Greek Bouzouki, a new instrument for US Gypsy jazz). For fans of the John Jorgenson Quintet it is indispensable. Others may find it superfluous. I have found that non-Gypsy Jazz fans like John Jorgenson better than the European masters. John's musical virtuosity and precision are second to none. John brings his other musical influences (Rock, Country etc.) to the music, which helps outsiders to this music relate, and become drawn in. They don't call John the "US Ambassador of Gypsy Jazz" for naught! John once told me that he never thought that playing Gypsy Jazz would end up being his gig. Lucky for the rest of us it has!
----------------------------
Tour Dates
2/26/2010 - Denver, CO - Swallow Hill
2/27/2010 - Bozeman, MT - Ellen Theater
2/28/2010 - Great Falls, MT - Machinery Row
3/04/2010 - Talkeetna, AK - Sheldon Community Arts Hanger
3/05/2010 - Fairbanks, AK - Pioneer Park Theatre
3/06/2010 - Anchorage, AK - Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
3/20/2010 - Kalamazoo, MI - Dale B. Lake Auditorium
3/21/2010 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
3/22/2010 - Rockville, MD - Institute of Musical Traditions
3/23/2010 - Harrisburg, PA - Stage on Herr
3/24/2010 - Barto, PA - Landhaven
4/07/2010 - Northampton, MA - Iron Horse Music Hall
4/08/2010 - Boston, MA - Sculler's Jazz Club
4/09/2010 - Londonderry, NH - Tupelo Music Hall
4/10/2010 - Lowville, NY - Lewis County Historical Society
In Gypsy jazz (among the Gypsys, at least) it is traditional to hone your chops by starting as a rhythm player. Gadjo (non-Gypsy) Samy Daussat, a Frenchman has done this well. He has played rhythm guitar for the top players of the genre. Angelo DeBarre, Tchavalo Schmidt, Patrick Saussois, Babik Reinhardt, Raphael Fays, Moreno and David Reinhardt are among those who have been lucky enough to have been backed by this talented guitarist.
Samy was also a co-author, along with Angelo DeBarre of two method books on playing Gypsy jazz guitar.
With "La Petite Famille", Samy steps away from his role as a sideman and has arrived on the world's stage as a band leader. The album features Samy on solo guitar (that means lead guitar for all of you American Gadjo types), David Gastine on rhythm guitar and vocals, Claudius Dupont on bass. Django's grandson, David Reinhardt is a guest on two tracks playing a blond Gibson ES-175 (This must be a family tradition as his dad, Babik Reinhardt, his uncle Louson Baumgartner and his great uncle Joseph Reinhardt all played this model guitar!).
The album is a showcase for Samy's well-honed Gypsy jazz chops and is a well-crafted debut. The album opener is the title track "La Petite Famille". It opens with a two guitar intro that breaks into swing with a modern sound in the style of Bireli Lagrene. Samy's playing uses all the modern devices; artificial harmonics, triplets, block chords etc. The second tune is another hard swinging Daussat original aptly entitled "Gypsy School". This is followed by a Latin rhythmed version of Django's beautiful ballad "Manoir De Mes Reves". Listeners will hear in the intro, that Samy shares the Gypsy respect for George Benson.There are vocal tracks with David Gastine's vocal talents being showcased. While men may be impressed by Samy's guitar virtuosity, women will be drawn to the French vocals. It is great to hear "The Good Life" a tune made famous by Frank Sinatra performed in its original French. There is even a Nat Cole tune sung in English.
The album has a variety of rhythms, much like a Robin Nolan album. This helps keep the listener's attention. On "Le Mauvais Jours" and "Clairs-Obscurs", two Daussat originals, David Reinhardt plays his archtop guitar with authority, bringing a different voice to the album. Daussat uses an archtop guitar as well as a Gypsy guitar throughout the album, also providing a variety of tonal pallets.
This is a fine addition to the modern Gypsy jazz collection. If you are a fan of the work of Bireli lagrene or Robin Nolan, you will love this debut work from this fine guitarist. If you are more of a traditionalist, you will just plain like it. Highly reccomended.
Here's a video clip we just posted to YouTube.com of my band, Hot Club Pacific, performing at DjangoFest Northwest 2007 with Larry Coryell. In this particular clip, Howard Alden absolutely smokes on the head into Limehouse Blues and takes the first solo. Some may recognize the guitar I'm playing as one of the Dupont D-holes that Sean Penn used in Woody Allen's Sweet and Lowdown.
In 1808, Italian Virtuoso guitarist Mauro Giuliani performed his Concerto No.1, the first modern concerto for guitar and orchestra. This raised the status of the guitar from a parlor instrument to an instrument worthy of respect of the worlds most serious (and respected) musicians. In 1939, Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo penned "Concerto de Aranjuez" the most famous guitar concerto to date. The nylon string classical guitar (Torres guitar) has been elevated to the status of a serious instrument as a result of these seminal compostions.
The Selmer-Macaferri guitar has been seen as an anachronism in the modern guitar world. Most "serious" musicians ( respected jazz and classical authorities) usually classify the Selmac guitar as an unusual instrument used by Django Reinhardt and his modern imitators.
John Jorgenson has changed that with his new release "Istiqbal Gathering". This is a collaboration between John and Orchestra Nashville. This work is the culmination of 7 years of work between John and Orchestra Nashville's conductor, Paul Gambill. This album has four pieces. The first is Concerto Glasso, a 3 part concerto for the Selmac with Orchestra written by John. Make no mistake about it, this ain't "Minor Swing" redone. This is modern Classical music that uses many idiomatic Gypsy guitar elements (one of the parts is in 3/4 time, evoking the traditional "Gypsy Waltz"). The Selmac guitar can finally take its place among its brethern (the Classical guitar) as a serious insrument worthy of the world's attention. Bravo John Jorgenson!
There are three other pieces on the album. "Dieter's Lounge" a Jorgenson piece performed with the Turtle Island Quartet, "Groove in the Louvre" another piece done with the Turtle Island Quartet penned by David Balakrishnan, the founder of the Turtle Island Quartet and the title track, "Istiqbal gethering" another Jorgenson composition that feaures a Cimbalom and violin in addition to the Selmac guitar.
John Jorgenson is one of the world's great guitarists (in any genre) and his Gypsy Jazz chops are up there with the best of them. His virtuosity is amply presented in this work. All fans of great music, especially those with an interest in Gypsy Jazz should check out this work. Most Gypsy jazz recycles that which has previously been done. This album breaks new ground. John dedicated this work to his father, but in some respects, this is a symphony to Django Reinhardt. This album is highly recommended.
"Celebrating Django Reinhardt's 100th birthday and centennial year: two romantic gypsy music inspired, genre-busting bands come together for the first time in San Francisco"
Two acoustic gypsy music groups, masters of guitar and violin, "The George Cole Quintet" and "Fishtank Ensemble" perform together for the first time in San Francisco at Noe Valley Ministries on Saturday, March 6th at 8:15 pm. The two bands decided to come to San Francisco and perform together to celebrate Django Reinhardt in his centennial year and the influence of his fast gypsy music on their melodies and rhythms. The fusion of gypsy, jazz, swing and pop music for both bands create genre-busting unique sounds that are unlike any other bands. Most of the music for the evening is original music but will also include some of Django's famous tunes. Fishtank Ensemble creates cross-pollinated gypsy music that include Romanian, Gypsy jazz, Flamenco, Balkan, Turkish and Tango influences. George Cole combines tunes reminiscent of The Great American Songbook, Hot Jazz, and European Gypsy sounds.
The acoustic music includes opera, jazz and gypsy vocals, musical saw, flamenco and gypsy guitar, violin, upright bass, percussion, and banjolele in different combinations on stage. These bands are known for their speed on the guitar and are a direct homage to Django Reinhardt who created a new way of playing in the 1930's and 1940's in Europe. Django Reinhardt taught himself to play the guitar and performed even though he only had the use of two fingers on his left hand due to a fire. Django was a virtuoso on the guitar and a composer who combined speed, melody, rhythm and precision. Django has inspired many guitarists to cover his songs and play guitar in the fashion that he conceived, fans and disciples include Jeff Beck, Charlie Christian and Les Paul.
The George Cole Quintet and Fishtank Ensemble chose to celebrate his music as part of a music series at San Francisco's Noe Valley Ministry which is a 110 year old Victorian Church in the Noe Valley Area that has the acoustics and setting that are perfect for the occasion. George Cole has been a guitar educator, historian, collector, and performer for more than 20 years. He's toured with Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Beatnik Beatch, Big Blue Hearts, Warren Zevon, Buster Poindexter, and Keely Smith. Fishtank Ensemble from Sacramento has been touring all over California and nationally since 2005.
Venue and Concert Info:
Noe Valley Music Series
Saturday, March 6
8:15 pm
$20 Advance/ $22 Door
1021 Sanchez St.
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 454-5238
Tickets and Info:
See Selmer 607 LIVE next Tuesday in Paris, France!
Event: Selmer #607 au New Morning
What: Concert
Start Time: Tuesday, February 9 at
9:00pm
End Time: Tuesday, February 9 at
11:00pm
Where: New Morning
Last night I had the extreme pleasure of seeing the Dorado Schmitt all stars at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center here in beautiful Santa Cruz, California. (www.kuumbwajazz.org). Dorado played both guitar and violin, his son Samson Schmitt played rythym guitar, Pierre Blanchard was on violin (he came to the stage after Dorado played two tunes on violin. When Blanchard joined the band, Dorado played his Anastasio D hole guitar with a vintage Stimer pickup (ST-51) for the rest of the show), Brian Torff was on bass and Marcel Loeffler was on accordion.
Dorado is a master of jazz guitar and his playing shows it. His lines are tasteful, he makes all of the changes and his solos are well constructed. No fingers noodling around the fingerboard here! Dorado builds excitement in his solo and uses guitaristic devices like chromatic runs and tremelo rolls to build tension. His interpretation of La Gitane (during the encore) is the best I have heard. All who aspire to play Gypsy jazz guitar should study the work of this master.
Samson Schmitt is a virtuoso guitarist who has learned well from his dad. His rythym was flawless and varied. He took one solo on his dad's composition Bossa Dorado (played in the original key of E minor) that would impress any 17 year old male who idolizes guitar shredders.
Brian Torff, a fine bassist who performed with Stephane Grapelli was in fine form and did a wonderfull solo bass interpretation of "Saint Louis Blues"
Pierre Blanchard, a French violinist who has recorded with Dorado showed his prowess in an extended intro to "When Smoke gets in your eyes".
Marcel Loefller is one of the worlds grest accordianists. His solo version of Bill Evan's "Waltz for Debby" proved that you can play bebop on an accordian. His solos were thoughtful and modern.
This show was part of a tour celebrating Django's 100th. Django would approve. It was an evening of inspired jazz. Merci Beaucoup Dorado!
Tour Information:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199611509622&ref=mf
Le New Morning
7 & 9 Rue des Petites Ecuries
75010 Paris
Tel : 01.45.23.51.41
Ouverture 20h - Concert 21h
This just in from Jon Larsen, over at Hot Club Records
In connection with the DJANGO 100 years-celebration, we have three fantastic, new releases from Hot Club Records.
The music is available as downloads from iTunes - with complete cover/artwork for free! - and on CD, ask your local record shop:
OPUS4 - The Best Of Opus4 (HCRCD 222) - Vocal gypsy swing!
The Russian cabarets in Paris are the melting pots where the traditional Russian folklore music joined forces with the gypsy music. This is where the jazz manouche originally came from, where Django Reinhardt and Matelo Ferré started out, and where music history took an unexpected turn - the birth of the European jazz.
It was also here, in the the mid 60-ies, Serge Camps started out, initially on the bass balalaïka together with the guitar player Marc de Loutchek, and his Balalaïka Ensemble. They were engaged by Yul Brynner, and later with Ivan Rebroff, and toured the entire world. At the same time Serge Camps played and recorded with some of the greatest gypsy stars of all times, Aliocha Dimitrievitch, and others.
Soon after, Serge Camps himself started the legendary cabaret La Roue Fleurie in Paris, and the rest is history. This was the first manifestation of the renaissance of the Django music, which since then has spread all over the world. It was here, at La Roue Fleurie, the new generation of guitar players - Raphaël Faÿs and Angelo Debarre - took the Django inspired music to the next level. In 1985 this small Montmartre café became the meeting place for gypsy jazz musicians after hours, and the jamsessions could last until sunrise. Here you could listen to Boulou Ferré, Marc Fosset, Patrick Saussois, and others. Here the Russian music and the gypsy folklore, and jazz, melted together with bossa nova, fado, greek music, classical and contemporary music, South American, and popular music, and spiced the Django music into the modern hodgepodge of jazz manouche we know today.
Opus4 are the keepers of this flame, and their authentic French-Russian accoustic gypsy fusion is truly one of a kind.
JON LARSEN - A Portrait Of Jon Larsen (HCRCD 224)
The best recordings by guitar virtuoso Jon Larsen, one of the original pioneers from the renaissance of the Django Reinhardt music. Here together with Jimmy Rosenberg (13 years old), Babik Reinhardt, Ulf Wakenius, Biel Ballester, Hot Club de Norvege, Vertavo String Quartet, and musicians from Frank Zappa's band: Tommy Mars, Bruce Fowler, Jimmy Carl Black, and others! An amazing compilation by one of the most original guitar player/composers of our time.
DENIS CHANG - Deeper Than You Think (HCRCD 203)
A marvellous new recording with the Canadian master of Django guitar, Denis Chang. More info on his splendid homepage.
Greetings Django Fans!
This is to let you know that the Django in June website has been updated for 2010 and we are now ready to take registrations for our full-immersion offering for musicians, Django Camp. The dates for this year are June 15-20. Come celebrate Django's 100th birthday by joining us!
The first full-fledged music camp in the US dedicated entirely to the Gypsy jazz tradition, Django Camp offers an unparalleled opportunity for musicians who would really like to dig in with both expert teachers and enthusiastic students of the style. Whether you want to build a strong Gypsy jazz foundation or add another floor above the one you've got, we offer guidance, inspiration and camaraderie at a depth you won't find anywhere else this side of the Atlantic.
Our teachers and performers this year will make up the most internationally diverse group we've ever hosted. As you'll see from the roster below, we are ready for players of guitar, violin, accordion, mandolin and bass:
|
|
You'll find all the details you need at djangoinjune.com, but here are just a few important bits:
That's it! I so look forward to sharing yet another incredible week of music with you.
Allons-y mes amis!
Andrew
PS. If you're New York City this weekend, don't miss DJANGO A GOGO, with Stephan Wrembel, Maie Bittel, Biel Ballister, Babik and more. Info can be found at the websites for the main venues: Joes Pub and Barbes.
djangoinjune.com
communityguitar.com
George Cole and his Quintet
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Doors 7:00 PM/ Show 7:30 PM
1220 Linda Mar Boulevard
Pacifica, 94044
(650) 355-1882
Tickets $20
Come join us for an evening with George Cole and his Quintet performing at Pacifica Performances on Saturday, Jan. 23rd at 7:30 pm. George Cole's superbly crafted and melodically sophisticated original music reminds us of the best of George Gershwin, Johnny Mercer and Cole Porter. His approach to guitar sounds like a cross between Django Reinhardt and vintage Les Paul. His crooning vocals evokes the same emotion as an early Frank Sinatra or Harry Connick Jr. His songs have a Jazz Age, Swing Era, and Gypsy Jazz rhythm that will make you want to move your feet and get up and dance!
"A scintillating blend of the euberant styling of Django Reinhardt's gypsy jazz and the craft of the Great American Songbook. An elegant, entertaining and whimsical show that is perfect for audiences of all aes, and fans of the classic songs and gypsy jazz both old and new." Daniel Swan (Swan Entertainment)
"George Cole and his Quintet are a spirited bunch, creating their own music within a vital tradition. They draw you in with both their musicality and their joyful enthusiasm!" - Anna de Leon (Anna's Jazz Island)
Upcoming appearances for Le Jazz Hot & the Hot Club of San Francisco:
Jan 18 Le Jazz Hot Quartet EVERY MONDAY at Le Colonial restaraunt, SF
7:00-10pm
Le Colonial 20 Cosmo Place, SF CA 94109
http://www.lecolonialsf.com/entertainment.html
Jan 23 the Hot Club of San Francisco celebrates the 100th anniversary of
Django Reinhardt's birthday in Ketchum, ID 7:30 pm Silent Surrealism
show
http://www.magicvalley.com/entertainment/article_38ebcdb5-534b-573f-950d-40208635a528.html
Jan 28 Le Jazz Hot Trio @ Speisekammer in Alameda, CA
7:30-9:30 pm
http://www.speisekammer.com/entertainment.html
Feb 3 the Hot Club of SF in Kent, CT
7:30 show
Mattison Auditorium, Kent School
860.927.6076
Feb 5 the Hot Club of SF in Norfolk, CT
8pm show 860.542.5075
Feb 6 the Hot Club of SF in Woodstock, VT
7:30 pm Silent Surrealism show
802.457.3981
http://www.pentanglearts.org/events/event.cfm?EventID=138
http://www.pointfm.com/hot-club-of-san-francisco-silent-surrealism.php
Feb 8 -CANCELLED Le Jazz Hot
@ Le Colonial restaurant in San Francisco
7:00-10pm
Le Colonial 20 Cosmo Place, SF CA 94109
http://www.lecolonialsf.com/entertainment.html
Feb 9 the Hot Club of SF in Oklahoma City, OK
Bruce Owen Theater, Oklahoma Community College
7pm show
http://www.occc.edu/cas/2009-2010.html
Feb 12 the Hot Club of SF in Parnasus, NJ
Ciccone Theater, Bergen Community College
7:30 Silent Surrealism show
Feb 13 The Hot Club of SF in Manasquan, NJ
Algonquin Arts Theater
"Meet Me in Paris" show with Isabelle Fontaine
8pm show
http://bestofnj.com/2010/01/16/new-jersey-valentine's-day-weekend-meet-me-in-paris-february-13-manasquan/
Feb 15 - Le Jazz Hot Quartet plays EVERY MONDAY at
Le Colonial restaurant in San Francisco
7:00-10pm
Le Colonial 20 Cosmo Place, SF CA 94109
http://www.lecolonialsf.com/entertainment.html
Feb 22 - Le Jazz Hot Quartet plays EVERY MONDAY at
Le Colonial restaurant in San Francisco
7:00-10pm
Le Colonial 20 Cosmo Place, SF CA 94109
http://www.lecolonialsf.com/entertainment.html
Feb 25 Le Jazz Hot Trio plays at Speisekemmer Restaurant in Alameda, CA
NO COVER - Great food!
7:30-10:00pmish
Feb 28 the Hot Club of SF plays San Jose, CA
2pm show for the San Jose Jazz Festival @ the Improv
62 S. Second St., 408-280-747
Nashville, Tenn.-- As one of the pioneers of American gypsy jazz music, Jorgenson is celebrating the father of gypsy jazz, Django Reinhardt, whose 100th birthday would have been January 23rd of this year, with two album releases and a touring schedule that takes him across the country and across the pond with the John Jorgenson Quintet. Widely known as the "U.S. Ambassador of Gypsy Jazz," Jorgenson has earned a reputation as a world-class musician and guitarist and has collaborated with the likes of Elton John, Luciana Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan. Both new releases see this legendary musician exploring new elements of world music, bluegrass, rock and classical as Jorgenson expands the range of gypsy jazz, captivating and enlightening fellow musicians and listeners along the way.
One Stolen Night, Jorgenson's first 2010 release, is the second album credited to the John Jorgenson Quintet, following up on the Billboard Jazz chart success of Ultraspontane. This collection contains a mix of standards and new compositions, with plenty of clarinet and swing, plus a vocal and the addition of the Greek bouzouki into the Quintet's instrumentation. The Quintet recorded all of the tracks in two days using minimal production, resulting in a "live in the studio" sound that is warm, rich and so crisp that it transports the listeners to an intimate private concert.
The album features a driving rhythm section throughout as Jorgenson creates a classic gypsy jazz feel while pushing the boundaries with his arrangements and melodic content. "Red on Red" opens the album with fanfare and Django-inspired minor key swing, while "Mediterranean Blues" highlights a fiery jam session between viNashville, Tenn.-- As one of the pioneers of American gypsy jazz music, Jorgenson is celebrating the father of gypsy jazz, Django Reinhardt, whose 100th birthday would have been January 23rd of this year, with two album releases and a touring schedule that takes him across the country and across the pond with the John Jorgenson Quintet. Widely known as the "U.S. Ambassador of Gypsy Jazz," Jorgenson has earned a reputation as a world-class musician and guitarist and has collaborated with the likes of Elton John, Luciana Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan. Both new releases see this legendary musician exploring new elements of world music, bluegrass, rock and classical as Jorgenson expands the range of gypsy jazz, captivating and enlightening fellow musicians and listeners along the way.
One Stolen Night, Jorgenson's first 2010 release, is the second album credited to the John Jorgenson Quintet, following up on the Billboard Jazz chart success of Ultraspontane. This collection contains a mix of standards and new compositions, with plenty of clarinet and swing, plus a vocal and the addition of the Greek bouzouki into the Quintet's instrumentation. The Quintet recorded all of the tracks in two days using minimal production, resulting in a "live in the studio" sound that is warm, rich and so crisp that it transports the listeners to an intimate private concert.
The album features a driving rhythm section throughout as Jorgenson creates a classic gypsy jazz feel while pushing the boundaries with his arrangements and melodic content. "Red on Red" opens the album with fanfare and Django-inspired minor key swing, while "Mediterranean Blues" highlights a fiery jam session between violin and guitar. The title track, "One Stolen Night," presents a captivating melody and showcases the enchanting sound of the bouzouki. Throughout the album the John Jorgenson Quintet creates a unique musical experience that equally enthralls the most discerning and the casual music fan with a sound that is all at once dynamic, romantic, driving, melodic and accessible.
Jorgenson's second album release in 2010, Istiqbal Gathering, is the culmination of a long relationship between Jorgenson and Paul Gambill, conductor of Orchestra Nashville, and was recorded live at Ocean Way Nashville and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Jorgenson and Gambill combined with a world-class team of musicians and collaborators to create the first collection of music specifically composed and recorded for gypsy jazz guitar and orchestra.
Jorgenson's brilliant guitar work leads the way, supported by the progressive and dynamic Orchestra Nashville. "Concerto Glasso" and "Istiqbal Gathering" feature a full orchestra, the latter showcasing the breathtaking talents of Alexander Fedoriuk on cimbalom and David Davidson on violin. "Dieter's Lounge" and "Groove in the Louvre" feature the unexpected blend of string orchestra along with the GRAMMY award-winning Turtle Island Quartet. The combination is a groundbreaking album full of soaring melodies and driving rhythms, and it is utterly one of a kind.
The John Jorgenson Quintet is the only American act to ever headline the prestigious Django Reinhardt Memorial Festival in France, and has been featured at other "Djangofests" in the U.S., UK, Germany and Canada. For the films Gattica and Head in the Clouds Jorgenson was tapped to recreate Django's music, and in the latter he even appeared onscreen as Django with stars Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz.
Despite the levels of success Jorgenson has already attained, the acclaimed musician has no intention of taking it easy any time soon. Building on the legacy of Reinhardt, Jorgenson continues to expand the popularity of his beloved gypsy jazz by offering listeners an exotic yet familiar sound to which they can relate. If 2010 is any indication, we can expect Jorgenson to take gypsy jazz to new heights for many years to come.olin and guitar. The title track, "One Stolen Night," presents a captivating melody and showcases the enchanting sound of the bouzouki. Throughout the album the John Jorgenson Quintet creates a unique musical experience that equally enthralls the most discerning and the casual music fan with a sound that is all at once dynamic, romantic, driving, melodic and accessible.
Jorgenson's second album release in 2010, Istiqbal Gathering, is the culmination of a long relationship between Jorgenson and Paul Gambill, conductor of Orchestra Nashville, and was recorded live at Ocean Way Nashville and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Jorgenson and Gambill combined with a world-class team of musicians and collaborators to create the first collection of music specifically composed and recorded for gypsy jazz guitar and orchestra.
Jorgenson's brilliant guitar work leads the way, supported by the progressive and dynamic Orchestra Nashville. "Concerto Glasso" and "Istiqbal Gathering" feature a full orchestra, the latter showcasing the breathtaking talents of Alexander Fedoriuk on cimbalom and David Davidson on violin. "Dieter's Lounge" and "Groove in the Louvre" feature the unexpected blend of string orchestra along with the GRAMMY award-winning Turtle Island Quartet. The combination is a groundbreaking album full of soaring melodies and driving rhythms, and it is utterly one of a kind.
The John Jorgenson Quintet is the only American act to ever headline the prestigious Django Reinhardt Memorial Festival in France, and has been featured at other "Djangofests" in the U.S., UK, Germany and Canada. For the films Gattica and Head in the Clouds Jorgenson was tapped to recreate Django's music, and in the latter he even appeared onscreen as Django with stars Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz.
Despite the levels of success Jorgenson has already attained, the acclaimed musician has no intention of taking it easy any time soon. Building on the legacy of Reinhardt, Jorgenson continues to expand the popularity of his beloved gypsy jazz by offering listeners an exotic yet familiar sound to which they can relate. If 2010 is any indication, we can expect Jorgenson to take gypsy jazz to new heights for many years to come.
Recent Comments