The 4th Annual Django Reinhardt NY Festival at Birdland Nov. 18-23

The excitement of the music over legendary French gypsy Jazz guitarist DJANGO REINHARDT is growing by leaps and bounds in this country as Producers, Pat Philips & Ettore Stratta, go into their 4th year of the Festival at Birdland. It combines the best players from Europe and beyond...this year France, Belgium, Germany, and Russia...with some of America's finest Jazz artists in a unique atmosphere of virtuosity, friendliness, and fun.

It's been said by many that this Festival has a very special warm atmosphere filled with personality, spontaneity, the unexpected, surprises, people sitting in...and joy to go around ! Thanks to Wild Turkey for remaining its Presenter.

Upon this 50th year since the passing of DJANGO REINHARDT, the Producers have taken The DJANGO FESTIVAL “On The Road" (with the help of J. Chriss & Co) to festivals such as Ravinia, Montreal, San Francisco's Stern Grove, Britt, U. of Michigan, Belleayre, and the Producers brought it to Lincoln Center's Tully Hall this July. The program was a smash delighting audiences to standing ovations.

This year, by popular demand, DORADO SCHMITT, Star Django Disciple from France, will be back. He is a Composer as well as lead Player...and received many standing ovations at Lincoln Center (especially for his heartfelt composition “Sad and Beautiful")...The same goes for the amazing Accordionist LUDOVIC BEIER from Paris and Guitarist SAMSON SCHMITT from France, the son of DORADO who is himself a star of the young breed in Europe.

New faces will be 20-year old German Virtuoso Guitarist, JOSCHO STEPHAN...a technical wizard, with his Trio comprised of his Dad, Rhythm Guitarist GUNTER STEPHAN, and Bassist, MAXIMILIAN SCHAAF. This is JOSCHO's first trip to America!

A few years ago, at the Samois Django Festival outside Paris, the Producers discovered an incredible 17-year old Violinist, ALEXANDRE CAVALIERE from Belgium who will be part of the program, also his first trip to the US.

VITALI IMERELI, Russian-born, living in Finland, virtuoso of the swing Violin, will be a Special Guest.

From this side of the Atlantic, JAMES CARTER, master saxophonist, will appear again...he has become a regular at the DJANGO FESTIVAL! KEN PEPLOWSKI, who also performed at “The Spirit of Django" concert at Lincoln Center to standing ovations will be on hand as well as master drummer. GRADY TATE who sat in last year one night and had a ball. ENRICO GRANAFEI, Italian-born Harmonica player steps in to lend a new accent to Django this year. Young hot sax player, HARRY ALLEN will join the program as one of the special guests! Musical Director and one of GRAPPELLI's favorite Bassists: BRIAN TORFF

The music of DJANGO, while it became famous in the 30's and 40's when the legendary Jazz Violinist, STEPHANE GRAPPELLI, teamed with DJANGO REINHARDT... seems to have remained “cutting edge", “virtuosic", and “hip hot"!!! drawing new and young fans to its following. The music is “hot jazz" but also very melodic and romantic especially in the ballads. It recalls great standards of the past but also original compositions written by Django himself or by the artists of this music.

It's a PARTY!!! Join in the fun and “swing Jazz" at its very best!!! New collaborations and musical friendships will be born!

BIRDLAND: 315 W. 44TH Street.
For Reservations Call: 212-581-3080 / www.birdlandjazz.com
Birdland has excellent food and a varied menu..so come for the music and a good meal as well! Parking is available nearby.

Showtimes:
Tues, Wed., Thurs, & Sunday - 8:00 & l0:00 pm (Cover $30)
Fri. & Sat. 9:00 & 11:00 pm (Cover $35) $10 Minimum

Schedule:
Tues. Nov. l8 - Sun. Nov. 23:
Dorado Schmitt, Samson Schmitt, Ludovic Beier, Joscho Stephan Trio,
Alexandre Cavaliere, Brian Torff

Special Guests:
Tues. Nov. 18: Grady Tate
Wed. Nov. 19: Harry Allen
Thur. Nov. 20: Vitali Imereli
Fri. Nov. 21: Ken Peplowski
Sat. Nov. 22: James Carter
Sun. Nov. 23: Enrico Granafei & Vitali Imereli