The first time I heard Gwen’s name was a few years ago from a well known artist who simply said: “He may become the best yet of these young ones.” Watching Gwen’s technique bloom in these past years – I don’t doubt it. He has such ferocious “chops” and yet uses them so tastefully.
Gwen plays a Holo Model Nouveau in cedar on this album.
Preview album here when it launches – Gwen Cahue & Mika Gimenez: “DUO”
For the 100th anniversary of the birth of Django, promoters hired 100 of the top Gypsy Jazz guitarists in Europe and sent them on tour around the world in large and small groups. Rocky Gresset and Mathieu Chatelain played Holo Model Nouveau guitars in cedar on this tour.
Preview Album on iTunes – Django 100
On YouTube – See Rocky & Mathieu on Tour with Django 100
For his debut on the Dreyfus label, Rocky Gresset drew on his roots in straight ahead jazz and his connections to the top rhythm players in Europe to create one of the most mature and tasty debut albums in recent memory. Rocky Gresset and Mathieu Chatelain on Holo Model Nouveau guitars except for 3 songs which feature Rocky on electric archtop.
Adrien Moignard, often known as the ‘heir to the throne’ released his debut on Dreyfus, calling on his connections with one of the top rhythm sections in Europe and giving hommage to his roots in straight ahead and modern jazz. Pensicola and Skunk Funk are stunning.
Mathieu Chatelain plays a Holo Model Nouveau in cedar on this album.
Neil Andersson began his career with the Fabulous Wailers whose music essentially invented garage rock, influencing many including a young Jimi Hendrix who lived nearby and was inspired to become a rocker. “As The Crow Flies” unites Neil’s diverse roots in Surf, Rock, and Gypsy.
Neil plays a Holo Traditional Model after Selmer #596 on this album.
Preview Album on iTunes – Malibu Manouche: As The Crow Flies
Alfonso Ponticelli is the Don of Chicago, yet he is not a man of violence. Rather he’s the head of Chicago’s Gypsy Jazz scene in addition to being an award winning Flamenco and Fingerstyle guitar player. On this album of live and studio cuts, Alfonso celebrates his Sweet Home, Chicago.
Alfonso plays a Holo Model Nouveau in cedar on select songs on this album.
In 2006 I saw an unknown Argentinian guitarist astound a Djangofest audience. John Jorgenson soon signed him and mentored him for two years. Gonzalo has since won Djangofest Artist of the Year, Best Band in LA, been twice nominated for the Lennon award, and headlined Samois.
Gonzalo Bergara and Jeff Radaich play Holo Model Nouveaus on select songs on this album.
Preview Album on iTunes – Gonzalo Bergara Quartet: Simplicated
Gypsy jazz is a tradition passed from father to son. Romane is not only at the top of the scene, but he’s raised two sons so adept at guitar that he may eventually become known as their father! I say that with respect. This album is a hot funk-driven live set with Romane and a cast of Paris all-stars.
Mathieu Chatelain plays a Holo Model Nouveau in cedar on this album.
I’ve been a Woody Allen movie fan since “Sleeper”, but he is also a vintage jazz buff and hired Stephane Wrembel to write the theme for the Oscar nominated movie Midnight in Paris (whose soundtrack was also nominated though not technically eligible, being an album and not a ‘score’)
Stephane plays a Holo Traditional model after Django’s 1938 short-scale Selmer.
Preview Album on iTunes – Midnight in Paris Soundtrack featuring Stephane Wrembel
When studio man Mundo Juillerat took up gypsy jazz, he did something that few ‘converts’ do; he immersed himself in it for a period of years until he absorbed it. The result is that now as he integrates his rock and latin influences, he creates a true fusion that respects all of its roots.
Mundo Juillerat plays a Holo Traditional Model in Redwood inspired by Selmer #863 on this album.
Preview Album on iTunes – Hot Club of Las Vegas: Summer Score
Antoine Boyer is quite simply the most inspiring young man I’ve met in years. At 13 he released his first album, at 14 he headlined at the Django Reinhardt Festival as Samois sur Seine. Now at 15 he has released this amazing album of mostly originals that are absolutely “jaw-dropping”.
Antoine plays a Holo Traditional Model after the work of Busato and Castellucia on this album.
It has been a busy year for French born New Yorker, Stephane Wrembel. Two major motion picture soundtracks and an Oscar nomination and he’s still the humble man I met years ago at a campfire jam. Bistro Fada is the “Gypsy-focused” of two sister albums he released this year.
Stephane Wrembel and Roy Williams play Holo Traditional Model guitars in spruce on this album.
The Black Market Trust is the brain-child of a group of session musicians from Los Angeles who have played together in many contexts and countries, on radio, television shows, and stage including “the” stage. (Samois) This album is happy, this album is deep, and this album swings like crazy.
Jeff Radaich plays a Holo Model Nouveau in cedar on this album.
Gonzalo Bergara’s music continues to evolve. In 2012, he has added the violin to his orchestration and has begun hilighting romantic classical themes without letting their inherent propriety tame the fire of jazz; producing music that is increasingly difficult to classify and increasingly rewarding.
Jeff Radaich plays a Holo Model Nouveau on this album.
Preview Album on iTunes – Gonzalo Bergara Quartet: Walking Home
Upon first listen, you know Origins is a great album. It flows, it’s diverse, and yet it is cohesive. As you look deeper you begin to realize it is a concept album that illustrates Stephane’s vision for a world of peace that celebrates its great thinkers and cares for its innocents.
Stephane Wrembel and Roy Williams play Holo Traditional and Nouveau Models on this album.
One of the things I love most about jazz festivals is actually what happens backstage as great artists from all over the world sit down with each other and play together, engaging in musical conversation. It always leaves a person thinking how amazing it would be if they did this in a studio…
Adrien Moignard plays a Holo Model Nouveau on select songs on this album.
Preview Album on iTunes – Adrien Moignard and Rocky Gresset – Entre Actes