Jazz Articles

The Snapdaddys: Snappy Hour

by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
February 27, 2007

The small Florida-based Refined Records label is known for its eclectic mix of acoustic music with intriguing instrumentation, as well as a Django-esque approach, which includes delightful recordings of some of the top gypsy guitarists alive today. Snappy Hour is the debut by The Snappdaddys: four seasoned session musicians with impressive pedigrees in jazz, film and even (gasp) pop; they've worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones and Louis Bellson to Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks and The ...

Hot Club Norv: Parisian Honeymoon Suite

by Derek W. Brown
July 1, 2001

Django Reinhardt is considered on of Europe's greatest jazzmen. His nonpareil improvisations and unorthodox instrumental technique inspired a devoted school of jazz that has come to be known as “gypsy jazz." (Reinhardt was a Roma by birth.) There are 'hot club' ensembles all over the western world, but gypsy jazz has flourished, appropriately enough, on the continent.

Hot Club Norvège, a Scandinavian ensemble led by guitarist extrordinaire John Larsen, is widely regarded as one of the prime exponents of the ...

The Robin Nolan Trio: Mediterranean Blues

by Derek W. Brown
July 1, 2001

Every now and then a performer achieves success in the music business without the ‘benefit’ of a major record company. The Robin Nolan Trio is one such story. Drawing their initial style and repertoire from the Django Reinhardt-inspired “gypsy jazz” movement, the group’s genesis dates to 1991 when Nolan, a student at London’s famed Guildhall School of Music, met bassist Paul Meader. With the addition of Anthony Williams on rhythm guitar, they formed a trio dedicated to performing the music ...