On Friday and Saturday nights, June 18 and 19, we will once again claim the stage of the Helen Hills Hills Chapel to bring you world class Gypsy Jazz. Both nights will feature artists on the staff of our weeklong Django Camp, a roster that constitutes our most internationally and regionally diverse ever. Expect not only sizzling and sensitive guitar artistry, but violin, accordion, mandolin and double bass excellence as well. To put it simply, you just can't miss with the crew we have on board this year. Please join us either night, or both, for some of the best Gypsy Jazz that will be played anywhere in the States this year. Purchase tickets (or find where else to get them) here.
Locals should note that we have teamed up with other area venues to produce special "appetizer events" you may want to enjoy during the week leading up to the concerts:
- a dinner showcase with Swing Caravan at Sierra Grille
- a Swing violin presentation by Tim Kliphuis at Watermelon Wednesdays in West Whately
- live music and a screening of the Tony Gatlif film, Swing at Amherst Cinema,
- and Tom Reney's annual Gypsy Jazz feature on WFCR.
You'll find more details on these offerings at the bottom of the page. Scroll on down or follow this link. But first, the weekend concerts...
Friday, June 18th: Biel Ballester & Gustav Lundgren with special guests |
|
 |
Roughly 1400 miles separate Gustav Lundgren's home of Stockholm and Biel Ballester's Barcelona. But in the age of the internet, what's 1400 miles between friends? These two young, gifted guitarists - each with a blossoming career of his own - met in cyberspace several years ago, which led to tours on terra firma, an as-yet-unreleased recording, and a close friendship. Gustav was born in Stockholm in 1980. He founded the Hot Club de Suede in 2001 with another Django in June alumnus, Andreas Öberg. That group spread the Scandinavian Django-gospel worldwide for 5 years and made 3 CDs. Another lineup, Gustav's Django Project, dates back to 2004 and reflects a deep appreciation of Django's contribution to the broader jazz tradition. A double threat, he's also a monster straight-ahead player. Biel Ballester last joined us at Django in June in 2007 and it will be a treat to have him back. A Catalan, Biel's formal training is in classical guitar but he has very quickly gotten the attention of those who follow the contemporary GJ scene. He has performed and recorded with some of the best players in Europe today including Stochelo Rosenberg, Robin Nolan, and Jon Larsen. Several of his recordings have been included in recent compilations of the best in Gypsy Jazz, and his trio contributed two of Biel's compositions for the 2008 Woody Allen film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The evening will also feature guest performances by other artists on this year's Django in June roster, our most regionally and internationally diverse ever. You can learn more about them by visiting our Artists & Staff page. Showtime is 7:30, doors open at 7. Tickets $24 in advance, $28 at the door. Directions to Helen Hills Hills Chapel |
Saturday, June 19th: Joscho Stephan with special guests |
|
 |
In 2000, a 20 year old German guitarist by the name of Joscho Stephan released his debut CD, Swinging Strings, an album all the more remarkable in that it was recorded (as Django would have done) in a single day. Guitar Player Magazine picked it as CD of the month and Andy Ellis wrote: Joscho Stephan plays with such elegance, precision, and fire that you’ll be tempted to resent his abilities. Fortunately, Stephan spins his lightning-fast Gypsy jazz lines with such obvious pleasure that you’ll find yourself smiling at his audacity, humor, and joie de vivre… Fast forward ten years and Joscho has just released Django Nuevo, a collection that features a little of everything except Gypsy Jazz standards: some of his own compositions, some Beatles (Michelle), a touch of Santana (Revelations) and a dash of Mozart (Rondo alla Turka). In the intervening years he produced 3 other CD's and toured almost constantly throughout Europe, making a name for himself as not only someone to watch, but someone to enjoy. Though this will be his first visit to Django in June, Joscho is no stranger to the US. A perennial favorite at the Chet Atkins lovefest held every July in Nashville, he was also featured at the 2004 Django Reinhardt Festival in New York. Bill Milkowski of Acoustic Guitar was there and had this to say in their May issue: One of the great thrills of the fourth annual Django Reinhart NY Festival...was seeing the young German phenom Joscho Stephan burning up the fretboard with astounding technique that combines strength, speed, finesse, and soul into one scintillating package. Come welcome Joscho Stephan to Django in June. I'm guessing that by evening's end you'll be giving us a quote of your own to use. The evening will also feature guest performances by other artists on this year's Django in June roster, our most regionally and internationally diverse ever. You can learn more about them by visiting our Artists & Staff page. Showtime is 7:30, doors open at 7. Tickets $24 in advance, $28 at the door. Directions to Helen Hills Hills Chapel |
 |
Other weeknight events produced by our local partners... |
 |
Tuesday, June 15 |
||
| Join the Valley's own Swing Caravan (shown left) for a dinner showcase at the Sierra Grille. Always a popular event...reserve your spot early! Starts 6:30pm. | ||
Wednesday, June 16 |
||
| You have two options this evening. Join violinist Tim Kliphuis at Watermelon Wednesdays for a presentation on the Swing violin of Stephane Grappelli. Or stay at home and listen to Tom Reney's annual Gypsy Jazz feature on Jazz a la Mode, on WFCR 88.5 FM. 8pm. | ||
Thursday, June 17 |
||
| Come to Amherst Cinema for the first area screening of the Tony Gatlif film, Swing, featuring Gypsy Jazz guitar icon Tchavolo Schmitt and lots of great music. One of DiJ's artists in residence, Aurelien Bouly, will kick things off in fitting fashion...with live music! 7pm. | ||
Thanks to our Sponsors! (Give 'em a click and a visit)
 |
 |
|
Joseph Santry, O.D. |
 |
 |
 |
 |