St. Louis GypsyJazz Festival: Django Lives!

bbwood_98 · September 2016

A unique musical event returns to St. Louis’ Central West End October 21-23rd, 2106. A celebration of the music created by Belgian Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France. ‘Django Lives’ The St. Louis GypsyJazz Festival aims in it’s second year to highlight the music known as Gypsy Jazz. Django, Stephane Grapelli & the Hot Club of France created a style of jazz featuring guitars, bass and violin. Driven by acoustic guitar rhythm, wine swinging lead lines played on the violin & acoustic guitar- this music is at once danceable, ‘traditional’ and accessible. Gypsy Jazz is developing into one of the most exciting styles of jazz in the world. Django’s music is played all over the world and we have several amazing groups here in St. Louis. The St. Louis GypsyJazz Festival aims to combine our local talent with international stars! All events take place at Evangeline's Bistro and Music House, 512 N. Euclid Street, St. Louis, MO

Friday October 21st at 7pm we will feature the Fleur De Lou Allstars - a local Gypsy Jazz supergroup lead by Paul Davis, with Gary Hunt, Joe Park & Chris Voelker! Each of these has their own group - once a year or so, we get them all together for an amazing show. They will be followed by the great Violin virtuoso Jason Anick. Jason is the youngest teacher ever at the World renown Berklee School of Music; he is a member of John Jorgenson’s band, and the Rhythm Future Quartet. A true master of the violin will wow you! Don’t forget there is an open Gypsy Jazz jam session every night of the festival after the show, for you to get up and play some music with the performers!

Saturday October 22nd, there is a Gypsy Jazz brunch during which new combinations of all of our performers will play starting at 11am. The evening show starts at 7pm and kicks of with Franglais- a St. Louis based band that features Eve Seltzer on vocals, and Eric Slaughter on lead guitar. This group fuses chanson, Gypsy jazz, straight ahead jazz & pop into a seamless musical experience that is not to be missed. Miles Griffith takes the stage after Franglais. Miles is one of the best vocalists in the USA, having won both a Pulitzer and a Grammy. Miles’ music spans the gap from modern jazz to ‘trad’ jazz, and has performed with everyone from Wynton Marsalis to Kirk Nurock. All the musicians have so much respect for him, we all call him professor!

Sunday October 23rd, we start the day with traditional sunday brunch at 11am. The night concert kicks off at 7pm with another great local band Phatz Django. This local band lead by Bob Bailey features The tunes of Fats Waller, Django and more and stresses the communal aspect of playing this music - with all the musicians working to create a seamless sound. Phatz Django opens for the great Italian guitar virtuoso Dario Napoli. Dario wowed the crowds in New orleans, Austin and more on his last tour in the states in 2012; he is a guitar hero for the ages! Finally, don't forget the closing night Jam - we will play until the wee hours starting around 11pm.
I hope some of you Djangobooks folks can come out!

Cheers,

Ben