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Review by Geoff Chapman, The Toronto Star, Thursday July 29 2004 A classy entry from one of the best groups involved in the gypsy swing music polished so brilliantly by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli, this 14-tune recording shows the benefit of two relatively recent recruits. Russian-born violinist Rodion Boshoer and veteran Gerry Duligal on accordion mean fatter textures and more emotional weight though the playing is never low on furious energy. There are rarer pieces here,like the lovely "Valse des Niglos" and the title piece waltz (La Gitane) neatly arranged by lead guitarist Johnny Farrell, plus a new one "280 SE" that's smooth and fleet. The band, with founderAndré Séguinot and Tony Oldland on rhythm guitars and Abbey Sholzberg handling bass,is up for the occasion, its dashing treatments of "Limehouse Blues" and "Latcho Drom" contrasting with the mellower " I'm Confessin" and "Exactly Like You" - and it's all done with only two Django pieces, "Daphné" and the inevitable "Nuages".
- Toronto Star
Review by Geoff Chapman, The Toronto Star, Thursday July 29 2004 A classy entry from one of the best groups involved in the gypsy swing music polished so brilliantly by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli, this 14-tune recording shows the benefit of two relatively recent recruits. Russian-born violinist Rodion Boshoer and veteran Gerry Duligal on accordion mean fatter textures and more emotional weight though the playing is never low on furious energy. There are rarer pieces here,like the lovely "Valse des Niglos" and the title piece waltz (La Gitane) neatly arranged by lead guitarist Johnny Farrell, plus a new one "280 SE" that's smooth and fleet. The band, with founderAndré Séguinot and Tony Oldland on rhythm guitars and Abbey Sholzberg handling bass,is up for the occasion, its dashing treatments of "Limehouse Blues" and "Latcho Drom" contrasting with the mellower " I'm Confessin" and "Exactly Like You" - and it's all done with only two Django pieces, "Daphné" and the inevitable "Nuages".
- Toronto Star
Reviews: "Music of 1930s Paris Gets A Strong Workout Instead of forking out thousands to fly to Europe in search of winter chic, you could have saved a buck or two by browsing midtown's Cumberland Street on Saturday. You would have been drawn to the venerable Pilot, were the music of 1930s Paris was getting an industrial-strength workout from a Toronto band bent on replicating the sound of the Hot Club de France, which became the European band of its time, featuring the immeasurable talents of guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli. Many a band ploughs this noble furrow, but the Club Django Sextet certainly gets into the spirit of music now known generally as gypsy swing. The group, warmly received by a crowd more familiar with smaller assemblies playing bop and modern modal mainstream, achieved lift-of early with "All Of Me", Honeysuckle Rose" and "It Don't Mean A Thing" and a host of tunes penned by the master ("Daphne", "Douce Ambiance", Minor Swing", with its slick chorus swaps, "Swing Guitar", "Stompin' at Decca". They turned in a lively show that took the chill out of a cold afternoon."
(Geoff Chapman, Music Critic, The Toronto Star, Monday Dec. 11, 2000) - Toronto Star
Reviews: "Music of 1930s Paris Gets A Strong Workout Instead of forking out thousands to fly to Europe in search of winter chic, you could have saved a buck or two by browsing midtown's Cumberland Street on Saturday. You would have been drawn to the venerable Pilot, were the music of 1930s Paris was getting an industrial-strength workout from a Toronto band bent on replicating the sound of the Hot Club de France, which became the European band of its time, featuring the immeasurable talents of guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli. Many a band ploughs this noble furrow, but the Club Django Sextet certainly gets into the spirit of music now known generally as gypsy swing. The group, warmly received by a crowd more familiar with smaller assemblies playing bop and modern modal mainstream, achieved lift-of early with "All Of Me", Honeysuckle Rose" and "It Don't Mean A Thing" and a host of tunes penned by the master ("Daphne", "Douce Ambiance", Minor Swing", with its slick chorus swaps, "Swing Guitar", "Stompin' at Decca". They turned in a lively show that took the chill out of a cold afternoon."
(Geoff Chapman, Music Critic, The Toronto Star, Monday Dec. 11, 2000) - Toronto Star
Discography
May 2000, the Sextet released its first CD, entitled "A Tribute to the Hot Club de France". In April 2001, the CD received the Canadian Collectors' Congress Award for the Best Album 2000, Traditional/Classic Jazz Performance. In 2004 Club Django Sextet recorded NEW CD "LA GITANE"
The song "I am confessing " is regularly on air with CBC radio and 91.1 Jazz fm
Photos
Bio
In 1995, in Toronto, a group of Django Reinhardt's fans got together for the sheer enjoyment of playing the music of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. In time, a nucleus of these dedicated musicians decided to perform publicly and so the Club Django Sextet of Toronto was born.
In May 2000, the Sextet released its first CD, entitled A Tribute to the Hot Club de France. In April 2001, the CD received the Canadian Collectors' Congress Award for the Best Album 2000, Traditional/Classic Jazz Performance. In the fall of 2003, the Club Django Sextet was nominated for the National Jazz Awards in the Best Acoustic Group category.
Reviews: "Music of 1930s Paris Gets A Strong Workout Instead of forking out thousands to fly to Europe in search of winter chic, you could have saved a buck or two by browsing midtown's Cumberland Street on Saturday. You would have been drawn to the venerable Pilot, were the music of 1930s Paris was getting an industrial-strength workout from a Toronto band bent on replicating the sound of the Hot Club de France, which became the European band of its time, featuring the immeasurable talents of guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli. Many a band ploughs this noble furrow, but the Club Django Sextet certainly gets into the spirit of music now known generally as gypsy swing. The group, warmly received by a crowd more familiar with smaller assemblies playing bop and modern modal mainstream, achieved lift-of early with "All Of Me", Honeysuckle Rose" and "It Don't Mean A Thing" and a host of tunes penned by the master ("Daphne", "Douce Ambiance", Minor Swing", with its slick chorus swaps, "Swing Guitar", "Stompin' at Decca". They turned in a lively show that took the chill out of a cold afternoon."
(Geoff Chapman, Music Critic, The Toronto Star, Monday Dec. 11, 2000)
The Club Django Sextet was nominated for Best Acoustic Group of the Year 2004 by the National Jazz Awards.
In 2004 Club Django Sextet recorded NEW CD "LA GITANE" Here is a Review by Geoff Chapman, The Toronto Star, Thursday July 29 2004
A classy entry from one of the best groups involved in the gypsy swing music polished so brilliantly by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli, this 14-tune recording shows the benefit of two relatively recent recruits. Russian-born violinist Rodion Boshoer and veteran Gerry Duligal on accordion mean fatter textures and more emotional weight though the playing is never low on furious energy. There are rarer pieces here,like the lovely "Valse des Niglos" and the title piece waltz (La Gitane) neatly arranged by lead guitarist Johnny Farrell, plus a new one "280 SE" that's smooth and fleet. The band, with founder André Séguinot and Tony Oldland on rhythm guitars and Abbey Sholzberg handling bass,is up for the occasion, its dashing treatments of "Limehouse Blues" and "Latcho Drom" contrasting with the mellower " I'm Confessin" and "Exactly Like You" - and it's all done with only two Django pieces, "Daphné" and the inevitable "Nuages". Their freewheeling style keeps your toes tapping and fingers snapping. If you have never heard Django Jazz, don't miss this opportunity for a unique and delightful experience. The Club Django Sextet of Toronto have done a fine job in capturing the energy of the elementary vibe of this music. Buy this record and file it in your collection under Gypsy Swing. You may not have a Gypsy Swing section in your CD collection, but you should. To-Nite. IF YOU WISH TO PURCHASE THE COPY OF THIS CD PLEASE CLICK THIS BUTTON
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