Perhaps never again will there be a Django Reinhardt. However, tomorrow evening at The Ark, Frank Vignola and the Hot Club of Detroit will attempt to reincarnate the man himself – or at least his very distinct style of gypsy jazz music. The band, hailing from our neighbor down the block, currently consists of Shannon Wade (bass), Carl Cafagna (Saxophone), Julian Labro (Accordion), Paul Brady (guitar) and the main man, Hot Club of Detroit founder Evan Perri on the lead guitar. Although locally based and having played many Ann Arbor shows lately – including gigs at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival and the Firefly Club (RIP) – the Hot Club of Detroit is known nationwide for their musicianship and deep study of Django Reinhardt grooves. They will be joined tomorrow night by New York jazz guitarist, Frank Vignola. Vignola is a veteran of the gypsy jazz scene and it is a treat that he will be in town playing with this already-stellar group. Along with this, the intimate setting of The Ark will be the perfect setting for this cast of musicians (other than maybe an outdoor candle light dinner on the coast).
The Ark. November 19. 8 pm. $20. Tickets at MUTO or The Ark before the show.
Below: Hot Club of Detroit’s ‘Swing One’
Below: Django Reinhardt’s ‘The Sheik of Araby’
lovely music i have to say excellent