(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Acclaimed jazz guitarist Stephane Wrembel will release his 17th recording, Django New Orleans, on May 5, 2023, on vinyl, CD and all streaming platforms on his own Water Is Life Records.  The release coincides with the 20th anniversary of his annual event, Django A Gogo Music Festival and Guitar Camp, which takes place May 3-7, 2023.  Stephane Wrembel’s Django New Orleans will perform twice during the festival; Friday, May 5 at The Woodland in Maplewood, NJ, and Saturday, May 6 at The Town Hall.

This NYC-based group led by Wrembel made their debut in November of 2021 with 8 sold-out shows at Dizzy’s Club at Jazz At Lincoln Center. Django New Orleans, the group and the recording, pays homage to the legendary guitarist and composer, Django Reinhardt, blending the traditional sounds of New Orleans, from swing to second lines, with the voices of Sinti jazz guitar that continue to fascinate music lovers around the world.

Stephane Wrembel, one of the most highly regarded guitarists in the world specialized in the style of Reinhardt, is best known for his original compositions “Bistro Fada” (Midnight in Paris) and  “Big Brother” (Vicki Cristina Barcelona).

As the musical director for Django New Orleans, Wrembel has brought together some of the finest jazz musicians in the New York City area including: Josh Kaye on rhythm guitar; Joe Boga on trumpet; Adrien Chevalier on violin; Joe Correia on sousaphone; David Langlois on percussion; Nick Driscoll on clarinet and soprano saxophone; Sarah King on vocals; and Scott Kettner on drums.

Django New Orleans was recorded live in the studio at Windmill Agency Studios in Scranton, Pa., with Eric Ritter at the helm.  Ritter recorded, mixed and mastered the record.  The cover art features an original drawing by Wrembel, who also wrote the liner notes.

Jason Olaine, V.P. Programming for Jazz At Lincoln, comments, “Django New Orleans is a downhome party meets a high-end listening experience, as Stephane organically blends the music of Reinhardt and classic New Orleans repertoire together with just the right amount of understated flash and acoustic funk. The second-line spirit of Congo Square - replete with tuba, acoustic bass, horns, washboard/percussion and bass drum -- has a French flair as Stephane's tasteful (yet pyrotechnic) acoustic guitar work is augmented by an equally virtuosic violin and additional guitar. Django New Orleans is the best of both worlds.”

The track listing for Django New Orleans:

1-Tiger Rag (Original Dixieland Jass Band)

2-Nypheas (Django Reinhardt)

3-Dinah (Harry Akst, Sam M. Lewis, Joe Young)

4-Caravan (Juan Tizol, Duke Ellington)

5-Confessin’ That I love You (Chris Smith, Sterling Grant)

6-Bourbon Street Parade (Paul Barbarin)

7-Joshua Fit The Battle of Jericho (traditional)

8-St James Infirmary (traditional)

9-Bistro Fada (Stephane Wrembel)

10-Dark Eyes (traditional)

 

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