Tchavolo Schmitt is one of those musicians who can say so much with so little. His music has an earthy, down home feel that many of the young, highly technical players lack. He always plays with a strong and aggressive attack and makes every note count.

Tchavolo Schmitt is originaly from Paris and was a regular at the flea market jam scene at La Chope. Apparently he ran into some trouble and moved to the Alsace region of Eastern France. Despite his Parisian roots, he is still strongly associated with the Alsace style.

Tchavolo is in top form in this live recording from 1978. He uses every trick in the book to keep the audience entertained during his solo which is over a dozen choruses long. He plays the last chorus all on the open high E string by simply detuning the string to the appropriate chord tone.

For more Tchavolo Schmitt see his CDs: Memoires, Swing 93, Alors? … Voila!, and Gipsy Jazz School .

From the collection of Ted Gottsegen.

Enjoy!

-Michael

MP3: Sweet Georgia Brown