Spirit of Django Reinhardt Concert to be Held in July

The Spirit of Django Reinhardt Concert, which honors the music of the French gypsy guitarist by bringing little-known European performers to the United States, will be at the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall for its third year on July 27.

This year’s special guest is Paquito D’Rivera, who will be joined by a variety of performers: Dorado Schmitt, a gypsy guitarist from the Lorraine region of France; Rumanian violinist Florin Niculescu; Ludovic Beier, an accordion player from Paris; Dorado’s son, Samson Schmitt, who will join his father on rhythm guitar; guitarist Joscho Stepham and his trio of his father, Gunter Stephan, on rhythm guitar and Max Schaaf on bass; bassist Brian Torff; and drummer/percussionist David Silliman.

Producers Pat Philips and Ettore Stratta started the Django Reinhardt Festival almost six years ago at Birdland in New York and expanded the festival to include the Spirit of Django Reinhardt Concert after the festival’s original success. This year’s festival will take place Nov. 8-13 at Birdland.

Tickets prices range from $35 to $57 and are available at the Lincoln Center’s website.

Originally Published May 18, 2005