|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| Dreyfus Jazz Releases for Django Reinhardt's 100th Birthday The American office of French-owned jazz label Dreyfus Jazz announced that it will release seven new albums in celebration of the 100th Birthday of Django Reinhardt. Born on January 23, 2010, Django became one of the first prominent European jazz musicians, and one of the genre's most renowned guitarists due to his innovative and distinctive playing. The group he formed in 1934 with violinist Stephane Grappelli, Quintette du Hot Club de France, is considered to be one of the most original bands in jazz history. Django's influence has always been prominent in jazz (and beyond - Willie Nelson and Jerry Garcia both cited him as a major guitar influence), and his music has been celebrated in recent years with countless tribute albums and concerts. Nowhere has the legacy of Django Reinhardt been more alive than in the roster of the Dreyfus Jazz label, which has for years been home to several gypsy-jazz guitar greats - Bireli Lagrene, Philip Catherine and Sylvain Luc - and Grappelli-inspired jazz violinist Didier Lockwood. Recently this roster has been expanded to include Luis Salinas from Argentina, and from France, Dorado Schmitt, and their newest signing, 29-year-old Rocky Gresset. On November 3, Dreyfus will release Bireli Lagrene's "Gipsy Trio"; Sylvain Luc's 2-CD "Standards"; and Luis Salinas "En Rosedale." On January 12, 2010, there will be three more releases: "Dorado Schmitt & Family"; the debut album of Rocky Gresset; and "Generation Django", a 2-CD collection of recordings by a multitude of players inspired by Django. On April 21, 2010, there will be one more release, Philip Catherine's "Capbreton." Another related release, "Summertime, " an acoustic duo album by Lagrene and Luc, was released earlier this year. An undertaking of this size would be considered ambitious in any time period, and particularly so in these tough economic times. Producer Francis Dreyfus and his company remain committed to supporting the creativity of their artist roster, and supporting great jazz. DORADO SCHMITT - FAMILY (Release date - Jan 12, 2010) Legendary French gypsy guitarist, known most recently for his appearances in the DJANGO REINHARDT FESTIVAL concerts in New York and around the country. He is admired for the power in his playing, his broad vibrato, and his sustain. Like Django, Schmitt has overcome a physical challenge to make music of great depth. On FAMILY, he is joined by several blood and musical family members, including his well-know son Samson, and long-time collaborator Hono Winterstein (Gipsy Project). Aside from a few popular Reinhardt tunes, the album features many of Dorado's own compositions: "When something isn't right in my heart, when I'm sad, or I'm alone, that's when I compose, " he says. "Sometimes, it's only in my head. I'm on the road, I'm driving, and a melody comes to me . . ." From "Miro Django" to "David's Swing, " and including the nostalgic "For Grapelli" and the sublime and Strayhornesque "Un Si Beau Jour" (a summit of this recording), these are melodies stay with you. GENERATION DJANGO - various artists (Release date January 12, 2010) A massive tribute to a massive legend - 27 tracks celebrating 100 years of Django Reinhardt, by the people he affected the most - the guitarists! With an exclusively licensed cover painted by Django himself, this compilation features many great songs associated with and inspired by Django, and great performances from an outrageous cast: Babik Reinhardt (Django's son), David Reinhardt (Django's grandson), Lagrene, Dorado Schmitt, Philip Catherine, Rocky Gressett, Syvain Luc, Jean-Yves Dubanton, Caravan Palace, Luis Salinas, Stephane Grappelli, Thomas Dutronc, and more. BIRELI LAGRENE - GIPSY TRIO (Release date November 3, 2009) Since the Gipsy Project group launched in 2001, Birli Lagrne has established himself with fans and critics as one of the greatest living gypsy jazz guitarists. On his new opus, Bireli brings popular classic group down to a trio, with thrilling results. With support from Diego Imbert (acoustic bass) and Hono Winterstein (guitar), Birli reaches the summits of virtuosity and swing. With special guest Roberto Alagna on "Be My Love, " and featuring "Lullaby of Birdland"; "Poinciana" (made famous by label mate Ahmad Jamal); George Harrison's "Something"; Django's "Blues" and "Micro" and more. SYLVAIN LUC - STANDARDS (Release date November 3, 2009) This is a gorgeous solo recording of the guitar master, offering his uniquely layered interpretations of 25 classic songs. Including: Brazilian classic "Berimbau, " Michael Jackson's "Stranger in Moscow, " Michael Franks "The Lady Wants To Know, " "Unforgettable, " "Giant Steps, " "Yesterday, " "Autumn In New York" and many other favorites. LUIS SALINAS - EN VIVO (Release date November 3, 2009) Luis Salinas is an Argentine guitarist that George Benson calls a favorite, Chick Corea calls one of best musicians in Argentina, and Chucho Valdes calls one of the greatest guitarists in the world! Internationally celebrated for his complete mastery of his instrument, and his incomparable versatility - blending jazz, tango, samba, salsa, Candombe and other regional styles and rhythms - Salinas has worked with major musicians such as B.B. King and Hermeto Pascoal. EN VIVO is a mesmerizing live recording made summer of 2005 before 15, 000 people in Buenos Aires. A specially priced double-CD set, EN VIVO has one disc of Luis Salinas leading the band on acoustic-electric guitar, and another of burning electric guitar. Also features Salinas on some beautiful vocal numbers. This amazing Latin guitar jazz, hot and sweet. PHILIP CATHERINE - CAPBRETON (Release date April 21, 2010) On this stunning live recording from Capbreton Island, Philip Catherine, one of jazz music's most sonically and melodically expressive guitarists, is joined by a stellar cast of musicians - Italian piano great Enrico Pieranunzi, drummer Joe La Barbera and bassist Hein Van De Geyn. Together they create a dreamy, unified sound that takes familiar music to new, exotic places. If you're a Philip Catherine fan, you will need this recording, and haven't heard him before - this album will have you hooked. Charlie Mingus once called Philip the "young Django, " and he performed regularly with Stephane Grappelli - he is a true gypsy jazz treasure, and this is one his major achievements. ROCKY GRESSET (self-titled) (Release date January 12, 2010) Rocky Gresset was born in France in 1980 to a gypsy family. Like many gypsy kids, Rocky picked up the guitar at a young age, and became heavily interested in Django while still a pre-teen. Rocky developed equal affinity for the great guitarists of jazz - Wes Montgomery, George Benson and Pat Metheny - and other jazz greats such as Bill Evans, Frank Sinatra, and the great guitar-organ-drum trios. As a developing artist, Rocky crossed paths with Bireli Lagrene and Christian Escoude, from whom he received encouragement. He became a highly demanded guitarist in gypsy circles, and European jazz circles, where he worked with Belmondo and Jean-Marc Jafet. His debut finds him bringing his own distinct gypsy swing to favorites like “Just One of Those Things," “The Way You Look Tonight," “Blue Skies." Also in the mix is Michel Petrucciani's signature song, “Looking Up," Wes Montgomery's “Jingles," and two Rocky Gresset originals. A glowing introduction from a guitarist we will hear about for years to come. BIRELI LAGRENE / SYLVAIN LUC - SUMMERTIME (Released Summer 2009) On their second acoustic duet album, these gypsy guitar greats bring excitement and fun to an assortment of jazz favorites: “Spain," “So What," “All The Things You Are," “Summertime," “On Green Dolphin Street" and more. Just for fun, they bring two modern pop songs into the mix, the Four Season's “Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," and James Taylor's post-9/11 love song, “On The Fourth of July." Accessible, enjoyable, and unbelievable in terms of virtuosity and vibe. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |