DJANGO FESTIVAL ALLSTARS

EVOLUTION

Motéma Records

Samson Schmitt, lead guitar/composer; Ludovic Beier, accordion/accordina/composer; Pierre Blanchard, violin/composer; Antonio Licusati, bass; Francko Mehrstein, rhythm guitar.

Django Festival Allstars bring the world an album of all-original, Django-inspired, gypsy jazz. This brilliant group of musicians first emerged from the Django festival held in 2002. Although the personnel has changed, the dedication and excellence has only continued to grow.  The Django Reinhardt NY Festival itself was founded in 2000. They celebrates 25-years of excellence this year.

Here is a luminous and excellent album that keeps alive the spirit of Django’s incredible music, while spotlighting five musicians who bring that music alive. The festival has released five albums prior to this one. The first was “Live at Birdland” (2001), “Gypsy Swing” (2006), “Live at Kennedy Center” (2012), “Live at Birdland” (2013), and in 2018 they recorded and released their first studio album. Now, 25-years of evolution continues to celebrate and expand on Django’s musical inspiration in this next-generation of ‘Allstars.’

In spite of leadership changes that happened in 2018, the loss of a band member in 2023, and the addition of essential new players, this ensemble of excellence emerges with tightened bonds and worldwide bookings.  Samson Schmitt inherited the role from his talented father and is the lead guitarist with the group. Track #5, that celebrates Toots Thielman on a tune composed by Ludovic Beier (their accordion master), “Around Toots” spotlights Schmitt’s wonderful guitar talents.  This is a beautiful ballad that squeezes every note of beauty out of this composition.

Pierre Blanchard’s violin dances and soars on Schmitt’s composition “Lovely Wife.”  But it’s the pulsating rhythm and haunting melody of “El Destino” that warms the heart and fills my listening room with the spirit of Django’s musical style.

These musicians bring Pierre Blanchard’s tune alive on the energy driven “Dorado’s Smile.” These up-tempo numbers bring joy and excitement to my heart and soul.

Each of these group members bring awesome talent to the bandstand.  Three of them shine brightly as superb composers on this project. Bassist Antonio Licusati pumps the groove forward like a freight train.  Francko Mehrstein’s rhythm guitar locks hand in hand with Licusati’s bass and the song, “Swing and Ready” storms ahead, wrapping me up in its energy and excitement.

This 21^st Century band of “Django Festival Allstars” may have changed some of the musical participants, but they continue to constantly evolve and compliment the inspired style and music of Reinhardt. As they march through intricate melodies and improvised riffs at top speed, you will find yourself tapping toes, snapping fingers, or dancing like nobody’s watching.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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