French–born guitar virtuoso Stephane Wrembel – whose original theme song for Woody Allen’s smash hit Midnight in Paris is currently topping charts – today announces the 2012 Django A Go-Go Festival celebrating the life and music of fellow Frenchman and jazz guitar legend Django Reinhardt. The wildly popular event has been an annual New York City tradition since 2005, and this year goes on the road into neighboring markets including Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, Albany, D.C. and others. The tour launches January 20 and 21 (including a special 4 PM 3-Guitar matinee performance of music from the Films of Woody Allen) at its venue of origin – NYC’s Joe’s Pub – and hits six cities thereafter. The complete list of 2012 Django A Go-Go Festival stops is included below.
Wrembel – who has been called “a revelation” (Rolling Stone) embodying “a John Coltrane-ish search for a moment of musical nirvana” (Variety) – welcomes a slew of special guests for 2012 Django A Go-Go Festival stops, including jazz guitar legend Howard Alden and Oklahoman violin kingpin Kyle Dillingham. Also expect rare U.S. appearances by Spanish guitar genius Biel Ballester, with Frenchmen Sebastian Felix on guitar and John Intrator on violin. Wrembel, Alden and Biel last collaborated together in 2008 when they scored the soundtrack to the Golden Globe winning film Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
This special night of music will include the music Django made famous during his life, as well as original music from the catalogs of all the players. From “Dark Eyes” to “Nuages”, these masters will add their own creative spin to each of Django’s tunes, revealing clues about how Stephane Wrembel & company will be accompanied by Stephane’s band: Roy Williams on guitar, David Speranza on bass, Nick Anderson on drums, and the one and only David Langlois on washboard, fondue pot and musical saw!
In 2011, Stephane Wrembel was commissioned (for the second time) by famed filmmaker Woody Allen to compose an original theme song for his new film Midnight In Paris. The resulting tune, entitled “Bistro Fada,” is a favorite on the soundtrack, which is currently at #1 on iTunes’ Soundtracks Chart and at #20 and climbing on iTunes’ Album Chart. The success of the soundtrack and film has brought Stephane’s music, and his astonishing talent, to a worldwide audience.
What audiences might not yet know is the breadth of Wrembel’s musical inspiration, and his vision on where it will take his music next. Look for Stephane Wrembel to release his fifth studio album, and embark on a nationwide tour, later this year.
2012 Django A Go-Go Festival dates are as follows:
Friday, January 20 Joe’s Pub New York, NY (8:00PM and 10:00PM shows)
Saturday, January 21 Joe’s Pub New York, NY (7:00PM and 9:00PM shows)
plus a very special 4 PM Special 3-Guitar Matinee: Stephane Wrembel, Howard Alden and
Biel Ballester Performing Music from the Films of Woody Allen
Wednesday, January 25 Regatta Bar Jazz Boston, MA
Thursday, January 26 The Egg Albany, NY
Friday, January 27 Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia, PA
Saturday, January 28 The Whitaker Center Harrisburg, PA
Sunday, January 29 The Birchmere Washington, DC
For tickets and information visit www.stephanewrembel.com
Look for Stephane Wrembel and his band to announce February tour dates soon.
About Stephane Wrembel:
One could call Stephane Wrembel a nomad, a gypsy, a world traveler, for the music he plays and his lifestyle are expressions of the Gypsy way of life.
Born in Paris and raised in Fontainebleau, home of impressionism and Django Reinhardt’s music. Wrembel was classically trained in a music conservatory starting at age four. Stephane’s life took a decisive turn in his late teens when he first discovered the music of Django Reinhardt and the Gypsies. He spent the next ten years of his life learning, playing, and expanding on this musical tradition. This hard work gave Wrembel the technique, but the time spent playing around the campfires and trailers of the Gypsies gave him the soul – both necessary ingredients for him to master his art form. Stephane’s education continued at the Berklee School of Music where after studying contemporary jazz and world music he graduated summa cum-laude. Soon after he moved to New York City to live and continue his career. Like New York, Stephane is always in motion, always searching and never stopping in his quest for a new sound.
www.stephanewrembel.com
Stephane Wrembel Live @ Barbes / Bistro fada (Midnight in Paris theme) from Jason Elon Goodman on Vimeo.
