Review by Geoff Chapman, The Toronto Star, Thursday July 29 2004A 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".
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Biography & Reviews
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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. The players in the Sextet were John Farrell on lead guitar,
Jonathan Marks on violin, Fabrice Sicco on accordion, Abbey Sholzberg on
double bass, Tony Oldland and Andre Seguinot (the founder of the Sextet) on
rhythm guitars. Gerry Duligal (accordion) and Rodion Boshoer (violin) joined
the Sextet in 2001 and 2002. Chris McKhool joined in 2003 to share the
violin chair. 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 BUTTONThe Club Django Sextet is available for concerts and private functions
We love to play for weddings, anniversaries, Bar Mitzvahs, or any other party that you are planning. WE ALSO LOOKING FOR BOOKING AGENT!!!!
For bookings
and further information, contact Andre at (416) 699-6342 or by email. or
Abbey at (416) 749-6601
