June 9th: Unaccompanied Django Workshop at the DjangoFest SF festival in Redwood City, CA. Call (650) FOX-4119 or info@foxdream.com to sign up.

June 10th: Gypsy Picking Workshop at the DjangoFest SF festival in Redwood City, CA. Call (650) FOX-4119 or info@foxdream.com to sign up.

June 11th: Gypsy Rhythm Workshop at the DjangoFest SF festival in Redwood City, CA. Call (650) FOX-4119 or info@foxdream.com to sign up.

Bireli Lagrene is one of the most accomplished jazz guitarists active today. His career, which started around the age of 10, has included performances with some of the world’s top musicians. He has shared the stage with fusion guitarist Larry Coryell, fretless bass pioneer Jaco Pastorius, and accordion virtuoso Richard Galliano. Bireli is a master of numerous styles including bebop, fusion, and swing. He is also a multi instrumentalist with phenomenal skill on guitar (electric and acoustic), electric bass, and drums.

However, Bireli’s musical roots lie in the music of Django Reinhardt. Like most Sinti children, he was immersed in Django’s music from a very young age. While growing up in the Gypsy camps of the Alsace region of Eastern France, he developed incredible technical and improvisational skill. His talent was quickly recognized, resulting in performances across Europe as a young as age 10.

This video shows Bireli, around the age of 12, playing in the traditional Django style. Watch his right hand closely, it is THE best example of the powerful Gypsy Picking technique. Bireli is joined on this performance by his brother Gaiti Lagrene and Tschirglo Loeffler on rhythm guitars. They lay down a hard “German style” pompe which is characteristic of Gypsies from Alsace.

For more Bireli Lagrene video see his excellent DVDs: Live in Paris, Live a Vienne, Super Guitar Trio and the documentary The Django Legacy.

Also check out Bireli Largene’s CDs: Move, Gypsy Project, Gypsy Project and Freinds, Routes to Django and Bireli Swing ’81 2 CDs, Live at Carnegie Hall – A Tribute to Django Reinhardt 2 CDs, New York Tango, Special Guests, Blue Eyes, Live in Marciac, My Favorite Django, Gipsy Feeling, Zum Trotz, Jimmy, Biréli & Angelo, Broadway Blues and Teresa 2 CDs, Live in Italy and Honestly 2 CDs.

The video archive is dedicated to Mary Honcoop. She generously shared her large collection of Gypsy videos with nearly anyone who asked. The video archive aims to continue her generosity now that she is gone.

The Video Archive is devoted surviving video of Django Reinhardt and other masters of the Gypsy jazz genre. If you enjoy these videos consider making a donation.

To view this video you need Real Player software. Download for free here: Real Player

June 3rd: Unaccompanied Django Workshop at the Django in June festival in North Hampton, MA. Call 413-585-1117 or Tickets to sign up.

June 4th: Gypsy Rhythm at the Django in June festival in North Hampton, MA. Call 413-585-1117 or Tickets to sign up.

June 5th: Gypsy Picking at the Django in June festival in North Hampton, MA. Call 413-585-1117 or Tickets to sign up.