DFSF-reviews?

Duozona

I know its only Sunday and the festival is still going on, but I thought I'd put up an advance request for any reviews or comments about DFSF 2007 for those of us who could not attend.

I really wanted to catch Frank Vignola as I was fortunate enough to attend school where he taught for a while in Arizona and he was the first person to turn me on the Django's music in our fretboard harmony course. Such a way cool guy and an amazing musician! Though I dont listen to much jazz other than GJazz players, Mimi Fox has really interested me in what little I have heard, so I would love to hear peoples reaction to her as well.

-Chuck

V-dub

I only caught Sunday night's show, but Robin Nolan's set was, in the Nolan vernacular, "f**kin great"... though definitely family-friendly!

I always forget how much I enjoy RNT. They are probably my favorite gypsy jazz group to see... so inventive and thoroughly entertaining.

MontereyJacques

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Elva Ledesma

Extreme Highlights:

Stephane Wrembel with his new band Comarade Soleil which includes his guitar, keyboards, drums and bass--avant-gard Django--what an intense, fantastic show--although a little loud for the venue--I thought the roof would fly off! A combination of Django Reinhardt, Grateful Dead, Iron Butterfly and Jimi Hendrix!

Frank Vignola, Dave Grisman with Robin Nolan Trio--superlative playing at it's best--masters of their craft and musically precise, but with heart and humor.

Some of my favorites:

Hot Club Sandwich, Gaucho, Cafe Americain and Hot Club Pacific with Mimi Fox--American bands that play Django variations and new compositions with style and freshness. Mimi Fox as a guest artist was outstanding!

Least favorites:

Fish Tank Ensemble caused a stir, but with no Django! A cultural festival would be more appropriate for their sound since their "token" Django song wasn't even a Django song--but it was done well... Kruno might want to join them for the singing, but an excellent guitarist!

Dan Hicks did not enhance Hot Club Sandwich’s performance—they’re beyond ever having to be any singer’s back up band...

--Elva

MichaelHorowitz

Was great to see everyone down in Mill Valley! What a cool town and a great place to have a Django festival...

There was a great variety of stuff this year:

:arrow: Andreas and Kruno demonstrated jaw dropping technique and musicality.

:arrow: Hot Club Sandwich w/Dan Hicks takes the cake for the best ensemble sound. Very entertaining with awesome arrangements.

:arrow: Hot Club Pacific w/Mimi Fox broke some new ground in the burgeoning field of G-bop. Marc Schwartz bravely soloed a long side the great Mimi Fox....kudos.

:arrow: Robin Nolan and Frank Vignola had the best onstage interaction of the festival. Their music is highly interactive and "conversational,"...and they also had the best jokes!

:arrow: Gaucho laid down some great Gypsy jams...and it was nice to hear clarinet (there are a lot of guitars at djangofest!)

:arrow: Wrembel took Gypsy jazz to the uncharted realm of organ trio Gypsy fusion. Really innovative stuff...

:arrow: Marc Atkinson was a hell of a lot fun!

I wasn't there on Thursday or Sunday night so I missed those acts....

All in all, a really fun fest!

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