Django Fest LA

Dgypsy, Djazz, Django!

By Joel Okida

Django Reinhardt. Mention the name and most people will envision a seated, cross-legged man with slicked back hair, a cigarette dangling from a mustached-lip. Oh yeah, and that guitar. Yes, that Selmer Maccaferri cutaway guitar which he produced such classic songs like Minor Swing, Nuages and Belleville....with only his two good fingers on the fretboard. And "oui," think Parisian clubs filled with smoke, cognac, and hot jazz!

Come April 24-26 over at the Laguna Beach Festival of Art's Forum Theater, you won't see Django in person, as he left us back in ‘53, but you will get to witness the musical legacy he left behind and the influence his style has had on many musicians today. In a smoke-free environment! Oh well, atmosphere aside, we do want to see the artists on stage, don't we? And before you say that it's too far away, see why it's worth the drive.

Echoing Django's collaboration with violinist, Stephane Grappelli, in the Quintette du Hot Club de France, Fabrice Martinez and Fishtank Ensemble will recall the era with their similar Romani and gypsy jazz- infused music. Django, a Belgian by birth, but more a gypsy than a Parisian in lifestyle, might have sat in with this band had he been born a few decades forward.

Swedish guitarist, Andreas Oberg comes with impressive credentials as showcased by last year's recording, My Favorite Guitars (Resonance Records), his American debut release. Although adept in many guitar styles and genres of music as revealed on the CD, jazz is his favorite and he is well informed and accomplished in the realm of pure gypsy jazz.

Bringing in the South American flavor of Djangoism by way of Argentina is Gonzalo Bergara, whose Trio Gonzalo has been wowing Los Angeles audiences for a number of years. He has toured with well-known guitar legend, John Jorgenson and his quintet, as well. Although he has been playing guitar professionally since the age of 16, Bergara finally released his own CD in 2007, Portena Soledad, comprised of all originals (except for one) and marked by his own brand of gypsy jazz styling.

From Django's own turf, Parisian-born chanteuse Jessica Fichot will wield her accordion and accordingly will bring her band and repertoire of songs honed by playing the Parisian coffeehouses as well as Boston's Berklee College of Music. Now a resident of California, multi-culti Fichot sings songs from her 2007 release Le Chemin, and will vocalize in French, English, Spanish and Chinese!

Lastly, but nowhere near last in the Hot Club musical totem is Michto Pelo. This band is led by vocalist, Marie MacGillis and guitarist, Tommy Davy. Together with their band, they pay and play homage to the standards and blues classics while embracing the gypsy jazz rhyme and rhythm. Their music conjures up visions of Ella and Sarah swaying in the spotlight to a hot club swing!

Voila! There you go! There's more than enough to make a day and/or night of it. Django Fest LA also has workshops given by many of the musicians involved so if you're fleet of finger or just curious about the art and practice of the music inspired by Django Reinhardt, here's the place to be.

Django Fest LA at the Forum Theatre, 650 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, CA 92651 with workshops and performances plus Djamming  at Brussels Bistro, 222 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach (www.djangofest.com) is on April 24, 25, and 26.

You might want to brush up on all things Django by reading Michael Dregni's Django: The Life and Music of a Gypsy Legend (Oxford University Press, 2004) or listen to Djangology, recorded in 1948, discovered, remastered and released by Bluebird Records.

Joel Okida is a struggling artist, struggling writer, and struggling musician. It occurs to him that life is all about the struggle. Fortunately, he did not take up acting. However, he's not half-bad as a zydeco dancer and the ability to make a mean gumbo and lovely walnut tortes has gotten him by.