Summer Concerts on the Hudson will present the internationally-acclaimed Django Festival
All-Stars, carrying on the legacy of legendary Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, on Wednesday, July 30.
Together with virtuoso jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli, this dynamic duo created one of the most famous musical partnerships in jazz history through their creation of the renowned Quintet of the Hot Club of France.
The All-Stars include Samson Schmitt on lead guitar, Ludovic Beier on accordion and accordina,
Pierre Blanchard on violin, DouDou Cuillerier on rhythm guitar and scat vocals, and Brian Torff on bass. They have consistently brought audience members to their feet with exuberant showmanship and lightning-fast finger work on standards and gorgeous melodies from the jazz and American songbook. Many of Reinhardt’s beloved songs will be played along with many new and original compositions.
This is an opportunity to see this group directly before its debut appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival.
Co-starring Jazzmeia Horn and Sharel Cassity
Aside from the members of the band, the concert will also feature the stellar talents of vocalist Jazzmeia Horn, who won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal competition last year, and saxophone player Sharel Cassity, who has been voted a “Rising Star” in the Downbeat Magazine Critics’ Poll.
The concert will take place on Wednesday, July 30 at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Harbor Park, located directly on the Hudson River in Weehawken. Parking is available and bus and light rail can take concertgoers to Lincoln Harbor. The concert is sponsored in part by the Hudson River.
The Hudson Riverfront Performing Arts Center, Inc. (HRPAC), a New Jersey Not-For-Profit, presents this summer-long series of open air concerts free of charge to the general public. Limited seating is available; however, audience members are requested to bring a lawn chair or blanket, if possible, and encouraged to picnic on the lawn.
For more information, directions, late breaking concert news, and updates, please check the HRPAC website (www.hrpac.org) or call the concert info line at (201) 716-4540.