Description
“With special guest from NOLA, Aurora Nealand (vocals, horns).”
“Django New Orleans” pays homage to legendary composer/guitarist, Django Reinhardt, blending the traditional sounds of New Orleans with the voices of gypsy jazz guitars with the group performing traditional New Orleans songs with a Reinhardt touch, and traditional Gypsy songs with New Orleans sounds. From swing to second lines, “Django New Orleans” is a magical night of music. “Django New Orleans” sold out 8 shows at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club in November of 2021.
The performers for the shows at Joes’ Pub include: Stéphane Wrembel, guitar; Josh Kaye, guitar; Daisy Castro, violin; Joe Correia, sousaphone; David Langlois, washboard; Nick Driscoll, clarinet/soprano sax;. Joe Boga, trumpet; Aurora Nealand, horns/vocals (6/9 and 6/10); Sarah King, vocals (6/11); and Scott Kettner, drums.
Stephane Wrembel is one of the most highly regarded guitarists in the world specializing in the style of Reinhardt; he learned his craft among the Gypsies at campsites in the French countryside. He has had a remarkable career, having toured the U.S, France, UK, India, Nigeria, and more. He has released 16 albums under his name and the nom de plume, The Django Experiment with the most recent installment in the series, The Django Experiment VI. His original compositions have been featured in the Woody Allen movies Vicki Cristina Barcelona(“Big Brother”) and Midnight in Paris (“Bistro Fada”). Most recently, he contributed the original score for Rifkin’s Festival. Since 2003, Wrembel has produced the Django a Gogo Festival, bringing together some of the finest musicians in the world to celebrate the gypsy jazz style of guitar to perform in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Town Hall.
As the musical director, Wrembel carefully curates the playlists and has selected some of finest performers in NYC and beyond. Guitarist Josh Kaye is a current member of Wrembel’s touring band and is known for his prowess on the oud. Violinist Daisy Castro also tours with Wrembel and is rapidly making a name as a shining star in world music and gypsy jazz. French-born washboard player David Langlois has toured the world performing on a signature board he created himself. Nick Driscoll is director of the Wilkes University Jazz Orchestra and a highly-sought after session player on clarinet and soprano saxophone. Trumpeter Joe Boga is a versatile performer who has toured with a variety of orchestras and jazz ensembles around the country. Aurora Nealand is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and a prominent force in the current New Orleans music scene. Joe Correia is the go-to Sousaphone player in NYC driving this group with his funky meter. NYC vocalist Sarah King performs standout interpretations of jazz classics with an easy, breezy delivery. Scott Kettner is a master percussionist, bandleader, producer and songwriter and the guiding force behind Nation Beat.
“Perhaps the most creative improviser in Gypsy jazz today, Mr. Wrembel plays the guitar with a rich and colorful lyricism.” – New York Times
“Stephane Wrembel just might be the greatest acoustic guitarist alive.”—The Aquarian
“For North Americans, Stephane Wrembel represents the living face of gypsy jazz.”–New York Observer