Django Festival Allstars

Samson Schmitt (Lead Guitar and Vocals)
Pierre Blanchard [violin]
Ludovic Beier [accordion and accordina]
Antonio Licusati [bass]
Francko Mehrstein [rhythm guitar]
 
Django Reinhardt’s unmistakable cool and jumping joie de vivre has made him an icon for a list of luminaries, including guitar greats Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton. Jimi Hendrix named his Band of Gypsys in tribute to Reinhardt, and Willie Nelson adopted his influence in playing country swing.

The star musicians of the Django Festival Allstars have grown into a brilliantly cohesive group that has performed at top concert halls and festivals to standing ovations. The group’s music transports listeners to Paris in the 1920s and ’30s, when gitane music filled the air and Django was king. The Django Festival Allstars bring Reinhardt’s music into the 21st century, honoring traditions and standards while adding their own interpretations, arrangements, and original compositions.  They swing like crazy and will break your heart with a ballad.  

"The Django Festival with the Django Festival Allstars is the best show in town.  Imagine a stage filled with 5 contemporary Reinhart descendants, and you'll get a sense that the collective talent pool on the bandstand is larger than the Arc de Triomphe!"
- Wall Street Journal
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The Django Festival Allstars bring the music of the legendary Gypsy Jazz Guitarist Django Reinhardt fully into the 21st century. Their unique, high-energy performances pay attribute to Reinhardt who is considered one of the greatest guitar players of all time. Reinhardt’s driving, swinging style became known as “hot jazz” and it continues to grow in popularity throughout the world…in great part to the success of The Django Festival Allstars, who honor the traditions of this “gypsy jazz” adding their own interpretations, arrangements, and original compositions with stunning virtuosity.