DjangoVegas! returns to downtown Las Vegas to celebrate the music of Django Reinhardt and other gypsy jazz musicians past and present. The John Jorgenson Quintet, Stephane Wrembel and Hot Club of Las Vegas will perform at the auditorium of the Historic Fifth Street School. Pre-concert cocktails and entertainment by the Icy Hot Club will begin at 5 p.m. in the outdoor courtyard, with beverages and food available for purchase.
What is Gypsy Djazz?
Gypsy Djazz is an acoustic style of music that combines the elements of American Swing, Flamenco and Parisien Musette. It was born out of the Paris jazz scene in the 30’s and 40’s and made popular by Django Reinhardt, Stephanie Grapelli, and Quintette du Hot Club de France. And the guitar is traditionally a Selmer-Maccaferri guitar.
The John Jorgenson Quintet features virtuoso guitarist John Jorgenson, a founding member of the Desert Rose Band, the Hellecasters, and a six-year member of EltonJohn’s band. Jorgenson portrayed Django Reinhardt in the 2005 feature film “Head in the Clouds.” Also a master clarinet player, vocalist and pianist, Jorgenson is known as a pioneer of the American gypsy jazz movement. His articles and lessons on gypsy jazz have appeared in prominent guitar magazines. Currently living in Nashville, Jorgenson tours worldwide playing gypsy jazz with The John Jorgenson Quintet. Members include Jason Anick (violin), Doug Martin (guitar), Simon Planting (bass) and Rick Reed (drums). For more information on the group, visit http://johnjorgenson.com.
Stephane Wrembel French-born guitarist/composer — who learned his craft among the gypsies at campsites in the French countryside — already has had a remarkable career; but this virtuoso, who is now Brooklyn-based, has just begun to make his mark as one of the most original guitar voices in contemporary music. Although he built his reputation as a stylist in the mode of the iconic 1930s French guitarist Django Reinhardt, Wrembel has developed superior compositional skills that leave an unmistakable Wrembel signature. For more information on Wrembel, visit www.stephanewrembel.com.
The Hot Club of Las Vegas, Gypsy jazz band, features Cuba native Noybel Gorgoy as lead singer. Hawaiian guitarist Mundo Juillerat, Christopher Davis (bass), Gabriel Santana Falcon (percussion), Marlow Valentin (guitar) and Adrianna Thurber (violin) provide the rest of the talent for this popular local band. For more information, go to www.hotclublv.com.
The Icy Hot Club is a Los Angeles-based group that plays modernized gypsy jazz music in the style of Django Reinhardt. The core group consists of guitarists Ethan Emerson and Ray Bergstrom and bassist Geronimo LaChance. For more information on the band, visit www.icyhotclub.com.