Tchavolo Schmitt is one of those musicians who can say so much with so little. His music has an earthy, down home feel that many of the young, highly technical players lack. He always plays with a strong and aggressive attack and makes every note count.

Tchavolo Schmitt is originaly from Paris and was a regular at the flea market jam scene at La Chope. Apparently he ran into some trouble and moved to the Alsace region of Eastern France. Despite his Parisian roots, he is still strongly associated with the Alsace style.

Tchavolo is in top form in this live recording from 1978. He uses every trick in the book to keep the audience entertained during his solo which is over a dozen choruses long. He plays the last chorus all on the open high E string by simply detuning the string to the appropriate chord tone.

For more Tchavolo Schmitt see his CDs: Memoires, Swing 93, Alors? … Voila!, and Gipsy Jazz School .

From the collection of Ted Gottsegen.

Enjoy!

-Michael

MP3: Sweet Georgia Brown

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 playing in the traditional Django style. Watch his right hand closely, it is THE best example of the powerful Gypsy Picking technique. Bireli’s solo meets the high standard you’d expect from a master. This video also gives us a good look at his virtuosic comping beyond violinist Florin Niculescu’s solo. Bireli uses a mix of chord punches, rhythmic syncopations, counter melodies, and tremolos to create excitement behind the soloist.

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.

From the collection of Ted Gottsegen

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

Ninine and Mondine have been playing at Le Chope in Paris for over three decades. Le Chope is located in the flea market area of Paris. Django spent much of his youth in this area and it has always been a center for Gypsy musicians. Over the years Le Chope has evovled into a shrine for Django. Notice the many photos of Django and other famous Gypsies hanging on the walls.

Most Parisian Gypsy players after Django (1910-1953) rarely copied Django’s music verbatim. Instead, they used Django’s style as a starting point for interpretations of bebop, Latin, and traditional folk styles. Mondine and Ninine are a perfect example of this eclectic Parisian tradition. For example, Ninine performs mostly on an archtop electric, but still uses the traditional Gypsy Picking technique. Also notice that his improvisational vocabulary is an interesting mix of Django and George Benson.

For more Ninine Garcia see his CD: My Dream of Love

From the collection of Ted Gottsegen

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

Greetings Gypsy jazzers!

Here’s what’s new at DjangoBooks.com:

Video Section:  I’ve put up ten new videos clips. These include some very rare performances by Dave Apollon, Eddie South, Raphaël Faÿs, Joe Venuti, and Eddie Lang, and Boulou and Elios Ferré. See: Videos

CDs: I’m now importing a large number of Gypsy jazz CDs from Europe. We have over 50 new CD titles this month including Andreas Öberg Young Jazz Guitarist, Robin Nolan and Ian Date Go Ahead, Biréli Lagrène Move, and Boulou & Elios Ferré Shades of a Dream. See: CDs

DVD/VHS: The Rosenberg Trio Live in Samois, Stéphane Grappelli Live in New Orleans , Stéphane Grappelli A Life in the Jazz Century , The Romany Trail Part One: Gypsy Music Into Africa, The Romany Trail  Part Two: Gypsy Music Into Europe now in stock. See: DVD/VHS

Picks: AK picks hand made in Holland. Now in Stock. See: Picks

Strings: I’m now carrying GHS Gypsy Strings. To order see: Strings

Books: Romane’s Esprit Manouche and the Martin Taylor Guitar Method are in stock.

Gibson Johnny Smith: Gorgeous 1985 Anniversary Edition Gibson Johnny Smith guitar for sale. Bought from, set up, and signed by Johnny Smith himself! For more details see: Gibson Johnny Smith

Keep playing!

-Michael