Django Reinhardt NY Festival - Live at Birdland(2000)

Whether or not many jazz guitarists have any gypsy blood, the influence of Django Reinhardt is often readily apparent in their playing. The Django Reinhardt NY Festival saluted the late master with several critically acclaimed concerts at Birdland in the fall of 2000, featuring no fewer than five Django-influenced guitarists, including his son, Babik Reinhardt (heard in one of his last recordings prior to his death a year later), as well as veteran Bucky Pizzarelli, two rising stars in their thirties, Frank Vignola and Birelli Lagrene, and finally the young sensation Jimmy Rosenberg. Most of the pieces, which include both timeless standards and originals by Reinhardt, date from his heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, with the exception of originals by Rosenberg and Babik Reinhardt. The guitarists are mixed or matched in pairs or a trio, joined by bassist Jon Burr (who was Stephane Grappelli's bassist for the last decade of his life) and on occasion, violinists Regina Carter or Florin Niculescu, the brushes of Joe Ascione, and pianist Pete Malinverni. It is tough to pick a favorite between Rosenberg, Vignola, and Lagrene (the spotlighted players, though Pizzarelli is no slouch), as their instinctive interplay and reactions to one another throughout the CD are a treat. Carter, however, is a clear cut above Niculescu, whose solos just aren't as striking. Most of the tracks are short and to the point, excepting an almost ten-minute interpretation of Django's best-known composition, 'Nuages,' though the quick run through Duke Ellington's 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' rivals it as the most memorable performance. Fans of jazz guitar will devour this very tasty release. ~ Ken Dryden Regina Carter,B.Lagrene,J.Ros- Enberg,B.Pizzarelli,B.Reinhard Photographer: Pat Philips.JazzTimes (7-8/02, p.136) - ..Check this out for a greater appreciation of Django's lasting influence and the degree to which his worship can be taken I was lucky enough to be in the audience on one of the four evenings this festival took place. All I can say is that the guitar work of Jimmy Rosenberg is incredible, and to hear him play live is a uniquely exciting experience. Frank V. plays with a level of refinement that only a handfull of American jazz guitarists have achieved, and all together, the music on this album will just blow you away. Some high points on the album include: The Sheik of Araby, Turkish Delights, and one of the most exciting renditions of Limehouse Blues you�ll ever hear, complete with shouts whistles from the crowd. At this point, I just have my fingers crossed that they'll make a CD of the 2001 festival as well: Angelo Debarre and Dorado Schmitt were incredible, and George Benson (one of the greatest jazz guitarists in jazz history), was kind enough to get up from his table between dinner and dessert to play a few songs with the group! In the meantime, get yourself a copy of this album and enjoy. 1. Sheik of Araby (Jon Burr, Jimmy Rosenberg, Frank Vignola) 02:36 2. I Can't Believe That You�re in Love With Me (Joe Ascione, Jon Burr, Regina Carter, Jimmy Rosenberg, Frank Vignola) 5:15 3. Swing 49 (Jon Burr, Bireli Lagrene, Jimmy Rosenberg, Frank Vignola) 06:16 4. Bei Dir War Es Immer So Schon [With You It Was So Very Beautiful] (Jon Burr, Jimmy Rosenberg, Frank Vignola) 04:49 5. It Don't Mean a Thing [If It Ain�t Got That Swing] (Joe Ascione, Jon Burr, Regina Carter, Jimmy Rosenberg, Frank Vignola) 03:08 6. Nuages (Joe Ascione, Florin Niculescu, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jimmy Rosenberg, Frank Vignola) 09:57 7. Turkish Delights (Joe Ascione, Jon Burr, Jimmy Rosenberg, Frank Vignola) 03:12 8. Angelo's Song (Jon Burr, Jimmy Rosenberg, Frank Vignola) 04:26 9. Gypsymania (Jon Burr, Jimmy Rosenberg, Frank Vignola) 03:43 10. I Can't Give You Anything But Love (Jon Burr, Jimmy Rosenberg, Frank Vignola) 04:41 11. Histoire Simple (Jon Burr, Pete Malinverni, Florin Niculescu, Babik Reinhardt, Leroy Williams) 05:20 12. Limehouse Blues (Jon Burr, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jimmy Rosenberg, Frank Vignola) 04:51 Frank Vignola - guitar Jimmy Rosenberg - guitar Bireli Lagrene - guitar Babik Reinhardt - guitar Bucky Pizzarelli - guitar Regina Carter - violin Florin Niculesku - violin Jon Burr - bass Joe Ascione - brushes