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| The Hot Club of San Francisco keeps jazz fresh When The Hot Club of San Francisco visits Cleveland it will be a night to remember on Friday, January 27 at the Ohio Theatre in Playhouse Square. Take a timeless journey back to the small, smoky jazz clubs of Paris or the famous refined lounges of the Hotel Ritz of the 1930s, when Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt sizzled in the original Hot Club de France. Today, The Hot Club of San Francisco breathes new life into the gypsy jazz style of an earlier era with original work and innovative arrangements of classic tunes. This imaginative program incorporates surrealistic movies from the silent- film era. Footage includes several short silent films by Charlie Bowers, such as "Now You Tell Me" and "It's a Bird, " as well as films by James Sibley Watson and Harold Shaw. The Hot Club accompanies these films with the distinctive music from the early 20th century. From festivals and concert halls throughout the world, The Hot Club of San Francisco keeps this historic music fresh and alive with its ensemble of accomplished and versatile musicians, using the all-string instrumentation of violin, bass and guitars and led by guitarist Paul Mehling. Mehling grew up listening to traditional jazz supplied by his father's record collection and pop music of the 1960s -- a diverse listening environment which could start with Sidney Bechet and King Oliver, move onto the Beatles and end at Django Reinhardt. He then spent time living and playing in Paris. This musical melting pot laid the groundwork for the inventive and diverse repertoire found on every Hot Club of San Francisco album. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |