Entertaining Gypsy Jazz Quintet recreates the beat and melodies of a 1930s Hot Club of France with works by Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli and more.
Hot Club of San Francisco brings “Postcards from Gypsyland” to the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), located on the campus of College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., and Club MAC, Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2 at 8 p.m. The San Francisco Chronicle hails the group as “one of the most cohesive and entertaining gypsy swing bands in the United States.” For the popular Club MAC performances, MAC’s Playhouse Theatre is transformed into an intimate cabaret setting with café tables, a full bar and great artists. This performance is presented in partnership with 90.9 FM WDCB.
For “Postcards from Gypsyland” The Hot Club of San Francisco recreates the swinging beat and sweet melodies of an original 1930s Hot Club de France. The selections will include many original works by gypsy jazz icons Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, plus original works by Hot Club of San Francisco’s Paul Mehling and Evan Price, and other composers including Claude Debussy and “Jelly Roll” Morton.
Hot Club of San Francisco, inspired by guitar genius Django Reinhardt, features Mehling on lead guitar and vocals, Grammy Award-winner Price on violin, French-born Isabelle Fontaine on rhythm guitar and vocals, Jordan Samuels on guitar and Sam Rocha on bass. The band is equally at home playing tangos, waltzes, tender ballads and swings with an ease that keeps the focus on the timeless beauty of the music. Mehling founded the band in the early 1990s and since then the group has released 10 albums, and teamed up with acclaimed music artists including American blue grass mandolinist and acoustic music composer David Grisman and American singer-songwriter Dan Hicks, among others.
Tickets: Hot Club of San Francisco brings “Postcards from Gypsyland” to Club MAC in the Playhouse Theatre of the McAninch Arts Center at 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn, Ill. with performances, Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45. For tickets or more information, call 630.942.4000 or visit AtTheMAC.org.
HOT CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO BRINGS “POSTCARDS FROM GYPSYLAND” TO CLUB MAC APRIL 1-2.