Video 1: Django Festival Allstars
Video 2: The Django Festival All-Stars: NPR Music Field Recordings

Birdland is proud to welcome The Django Reinhardt Festival back to the stage on November 1 – 6, 2022 with two sets each evening! Pat Philips, Concert Producer, presents Hot Gypsy Jazz, The Django Reinhardt NY Festival featuring The Django Festival Allstars, a hit band that has taken the US by storm, touring top venues- The Kennedy Center, San Francisco Jazz Festival, Newport Festival and more. They swing like crazy and will break your heart with a ballad. The Django Reinhardt Festival is going into its 23rd successful year with packed houses all over the country.

For the first time, Samson Schmitt, lead guitarist from a legendary musical family brings his two daughters, Stenli, who appeared on “The Voice” in primetime TV in France and brought the house down in “The Forever Django” concert at Carnegie Hall. Her sister who is 7 years old will perform Django’s famous hit “Nudges”. Step into the gypsy life of family, where music reigns supreme. The Band’s regulars include Pierre Blanchard on violin, Ludovic Beier on accordion & accordina, Antonio Licusati on bass, and Michael Harris on rhythm guitar. They bring the music of Django Reinhardt to today, a mixture of famous standards and originals.

“Sensational’…….George Benson
“Hardest swinging Band at the Newport Jazz Festival”…..Downbeat Magazine.

I have attended the Django Reinhardt Festival for over 10 years at Birdland, located on 315 West 44th Street, NYC which is an exciting and very comfortable venue. The Django Reinhardt NY Festival continues at Birdland for the 23rd successful year. Excerpts from Birdland website: The Django Reinhardt Festival carries on the legacy of legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, with original music keeping it fresh, exciting, cutting-edge! .…along with some old favorites.. the music, Hot Jazz, ‘swiging and romantic’ has exploded across the US and it all started at Birdland in 2000, with the launching of the Festival with tours now 2X a year at prestigious venues…to standing ovations: Kennedy Center, Disney Hall in LA, SF JAZZ, to name a few.

Dorado Schmitt, legendary Manouche gypsy guitarist from the Strasbourg region of France, a Django look-alike with pencil thin mustache, returns to Birdland to adoring fans. Schmitt started coming to the US in 2002 and is now a star attraction at major festivals as well as at Birdland. He is joined by his son, Amati Schmitt, a brilliant young guitarist, plus other talented musicians appearing regularly as part of the Festival: Virtuoso accordionist/accordina player Ludovic Beier, violinist Pierre Blanchard. Each year, they present their newest compositions/arrangements filled with technical brilliance and emotion. If you want to hear more, check them out on Youtube. 

Accordionist Ludovic Beier is amazing in his virtuosity and sensitivity in performing. Born in 1978, Ludovic Beier learned the accordion from his father and benefited from being part of a musical family. He was brought up in the French tradition of the instrument and developed his jazz accordion skills. He has a spirited, adventurous style which strays into all kinds of byways. He performs on the French and European scene with some of the top players of the Django/Swing Jazz style including Angelo Debarre, Dorado Schmitt, Florin Niculescu.

Along with his virtuoso playing, Ludovic composes and arranges, and has his own band, Ludovic Beier Quartet, to perform his “cool and latin” French jazz. He has an impressive technique and also a great dose of lyricism with a band that keeps him at full stretch. Besides performing in Europe at top festivals and clubs, he appeared in the States with the Django Reinhardt Project, performing at Birdland (NYC) with guests such as Paquito D’Rivera, at Lincoln Center with Joe Lovano, at Yoshis (CA) with David Sanchez, and last summer at the Montreal International Jazz Festival with Angelo Debarre and James Carter where he brought the house down. He also had the honor to perform at Carnegie Hall with Toots Thielemans among a prestigious line up including Herbie Hancock, Ivan Lins and Eliane Elias.

Django’s unmistakable cool and jumpin’ jole de vivre have made him an icon for an unlikely range of luminaries from Carlos Santana to Eric Clapton, guitar greats! Jimi Hendrix named his “big band of gypsies” in tribute, and Willie Nelson adopted his influence in “country-swing.” The Django Festival All-Stars, have grown into a brilliantly cohesive group of star musicians who’ve taken America by storm, performing at top concert halls and festivals to standing ovations.

The music speaks of Paris in the 20s and 30s when “gitane” music filled the air, in the cafés, the streets, in the countryside, a romantic Paris with lovers, campfires, a time of Montmartre, la belle époque, le Boudon café, café au lait, luscious pastry, and a great glass of wine. Django was “king”. He teamed with Jazz Violinist Stephane Grappelli and made musical history. The Django Festival All-Stars bring this music to ‘today’… combining known standards and original music…intoxicating!! They swing like crazy and will break your heart with a ballad.

Please note that Birdland is proud to offer two levels since July 2018! Their Ground Level is called The Birdland Jazz Club and offers sets at  7:PM and 9:30 PM.
(Additional 5pm Sets Friday – Sunday Only). The Lower Level is called The Birdland Theater and offers sets at 8:30pm. Both Levels have a full service Dinner Menu and Bar.

Birdland Jazz Club & Birdland Theater
315 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036

Purchase tickets by calling (212) 581-3080, or by emailing Office@birdlandjazz.com.
For further information:
Pat Philips,Concert Producer
Stratta Philips Productions
520 East 81 Street, NYC 10028
Penthouse C
212 744 8836
Mobile #: 646 436 1185
Email: patmusic2@gmail.com