Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 04/18/2023
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Guitarist/composer/teacher, Stephane Wrembel, will present his annual Django A Gogo Music Festival from May 3 through May 6 celebrating the music of legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. The festival includes 4 different live concerts – 3 at The Woodland in Maplewood, NJ, and the main event at The Town Hall in NYC -- and an intensive “guitar and violin camp.”
The concerts will follow the Django canon and will veer into reinterpretation, improvisation, and interplay between artists from various backgrounds, performed at the highest level of musicianship. Since 2003, Wrembel has produced the Django a Gogo Festival, bringing together some of the finest musicians in the world to celebrate the constant evolution of the Sinti guitar style, commonly referred to as “gypsy jazz.”
The 3 concerts at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Rd, Maplewood, N.J. include:
Wednesday, May 3 -- The Art of the Guitar with Stephane Wrembel Band (Stephane Wrembel on guitar, Josh Kaye on guitar, Ari Folman-Cohen on bass and Nick Anderson on drums) and special guests Simba Baumgartner (Django Reinhardt's great-grandson), Paulus Schaefer and more!
Thursday, May 4 -- The Art of the Violin -- Featuring violinist Jason Anick and Trio Dinicu featuring Tommy Davy on guitar and Luann Homzy on violin as well as guitarists Stephane Wrembel, Debi Botos and, and Sam Farthing.
Friday, May 5 -- Django New Orleans CD/Vinyl Release Show-- Wrembel will celebrate the release of a new album, Django New Orleans, recorded with his NYC-based super group of musicians. Django New Orleans blends the traditional sounds of New Orleans’ percussion and horns with the voices of gypsy jazz guitars. From swing to second lines, it is a magical night of music. Django New Orleans features Stephane Wrembel and Josh Kaye on guitar, Adrien Chevalier on violin, Joe Correia on Tuba, Scott Kettner on drums, David Langlois on percussion, Nick Driscoll on sax/clarinet, Joe Boga on trumpet and Sarah King on vocals.
The shows at The Woodland are open to patrons of all ages. All shows begin at 8:00pm/doors at 7:00pm. Tickets are $35 per show. There are a limited number of 3-day passes for $90. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.djangoagogo.com.
The main event for Django A Gogo will be held at The Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd St., New York, NY, on Saturday, May 6 at 8:00pm. The first set includes: Stephane Wrembel Band, Simba Baumgartner (France), Paulus Schaefer (Holland), Debi Botos (Canada), Samy Daussat (France), and Sam Farthing (U.S.) on guitar; and Aurore Voilqué (France) on violin.
The second set will open with a short set by Trio Dinicu featuring Tommy Davy on guitar and Luann Homzy on violin, followed by a set from Django New Orleans. The concert concludes with a grand finale with all performers on the stage. This show is open to patrons of all ages with tickets starting at $49.50. To purchase tickets and for more information visit thetownhall.org.
Django A Gogo includes an enhanced “Guitar and violin Camp” from Tuesday, May 2 through Sunday, May 7 at The Woodland and local venues with an intensive series of interactive workshops, class instruction and “jam sessions” with instructors being the performers at the festival! The is a one-of-kind experience open to students at all skill levels. For more information visit www.djangoagogo.com.
Django a Gogo has been made possible through Villa Albertine, in partnership with the French Embassy in the United States.
Additional sponsors include: Qobuz, The Art Convo, Manhattan Orthopedic Spine PLLC, D'Addario, A.M. Collision Service, Morris Brick and Stone, Django Guitars, Irene Ypenburg Art, Able Baker, Arturo's, Liv Breads, Dryer Guys, St. James Gate Pub, Natalie Farrell Real Estate, Maplewood Arts & Culture, and Finlay + Gage, and The Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture.
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