Interview: Stefi Schmitt of the Django All-Stars

Source: JAZZWAX BY MARC MYERS
October 27, 2022
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If you're in New York next week, you have a rare opportunity to see a jazz first. Producer Pat Philips is presenting the Django Festival All-Stars at Birdland from November 1st to the 6th, which she has done for more than 20 years. What makes next week special is that vocalist Stefi Schmitt, the 17-year-old daughter of lead guitarist Samson Schmitt, will be accompanying the swinging French-Roma quintet for the first time at the club along with her 9-year-old sister and guitarist, Stenil.

Stefi is no stranger to performing. She appeared at Carnegie Hall in 2018 during the Forever Django concert there and she most recently sang on French television's The Voice Kids. What makes next week special is the intimacy of the room and Stefi's passion and excitement for the music. She truly is extraordinary, as is Stenil.

Unfamiliar with the Django Festival All-Stars? These guys are amazing. The heat and intensity of their playing not to mention their technique playing originals and Django Reinhardt's songbook are something to behold. You won't be able to sit still. The last time I was there to see them before the pandemic, the audience was roaring by the end.

I recently caught up with Sefi to gauge her excitement and find out a little bit about her. My special thanks to Samson for making Stefi available and for accordionist Ludovic Beier for translating her French into English. The All-Stars are Samson Schmitt on lead guitar, Pierre Blanchard on violin, Ludovic Beier on accordion and accordina, Antonio Licusati on bass, and Michael Harris on rhythm guitar. They bring to life thejazz of Django Reinhardt through hot standards and originals.

JazzWax: Excited about your first appearance at Birdland?

Stefi Schmitt: Oh yes. What an adventure. Birdland has been my father’s second home performing there regularly with the Django Festival All-Stars. Performing at Birdland is a dream for every young singer like me. I will give my best on stage with will enjoy moments on stage with my family and the band. I’ll also be with my younger sister, Stenil, is such a talented singer and guitarist. I hope you’ll be there. I hope your readers will be there.

JW: I will, and I'm sure those in New York will come to hear you as well. Where did you grow up? SS: I was born in Forbach, France, located in the eastern part of the country near the German border. I still live there with my family. It’s a beautiful region that's full of history and has a strong Roma music scene among the community.

JW: When did you start singing with your father?

SS: I performed for the first time on stage with my father when I was 6. I also recorded a song on his album Crazy Sound, released in 2014. Performing with hikm was an amazing experience, and I knew then that I would be an artist and that music would be my life. Tours and concerts with my father's band in France and Belgium quickly became my first gigs. In 2018, I had the chance and honor to sing Hymne à l'Amour, an Edith Piaf classic, at Carnegie Hall. The concert featured my grandfather, Dorado Schmitt, and the Django Festival All-Stars. A dream come true for me and for anyone, really. I was so happy to share the stage that night with singers Melody Gardot and Veronica Swift.

JW: Do you play an instrument?

SS: My instrument, for now, is my voice. It's such hard work to give all you have with your voice. So I concentrate on my singing. But, of course, since I’m part of a musical family, I enjoy putting my fingers on guitar strings every now and then.

JW: Were you inspired by jazz records growing up?

SS: Yes, but I’m attracted to all kinds of music. My taste is wide and not restricted to a single genre. I was most inspired by great pop vocalists such as Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga, French singer Edith Piaf, Mireille Mathieu, Michel Legrand, Charles Aznavour, Etta James and Stacy Kent, among others.

JW: You also sing dance as well. La Voice de la Famille sounds great.

SS: Thank you! After being on the famous French TV series, The Voice Kids, in 2020, I recorded my first single, La Voie de La Famille. This song with a pop groove relates to my personal history with my family and the Roma culture that is a part of our music. The song reflects the state of my creative mind now—mixing our traditional music with new sounds and influences. One of my favorite pastimes is to sing the instrumentals on songs by Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga and other contemporary artists.

JW: What’s next for you?

SS: My father will be the artistic director of my next project. We are starting to record an album of 12 cover songs and originals. It will be my first LP. I can’t wait to finish it. My aspiration now is to perform as often as I can to gain experience, polish my vocal style and be as good as possible so I can share all of my passion and feelings with audiences. I'm working hard.

JazzWax clips: Here's Stefi on The Voice Kids in 2020 singing Etta James's rendition of At Last...