The Django Reinhardt NY Festival: Live at Birdland

by Django Reinhardt New York Fest

Overview

Whether or not many jazz guitarists have any gypsy blood, the influence of Django Reinhardt is often readily apparent in their playing. The Django Reinhardt NY Festival saluted the late master with several critically acclaimed concerts at Birdland in the fall of 2000, featuring no fewer than five Django-influenced guitarists, including his son, Babik Reinhardt (heard in one of his last recordings prior to his death a year later), as well as veteran Bucky Pizzarelli, two rising stars in their thirties, Frank Vignola and Birelli Lagrene, and finally the young sensation Jimmy Rosenberg. Most of the pieces, which include both timeless standards and originals by Reinhardt, date from his heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, with the exception of originals by Rosenberg and Babik Reinhardt. The guitarists are mixed or matched in pairs or a trio, joined by bassist Jon Burr (who was Stephane Grappelli's bassist for the last decade of his life) and on occasion, violinists Regina Carter or Florin Niculescu, the brushes of Joe Ascione, and pianist Pete Malinverni. It is tough to pick a favorite between Rosenberg, Vignola, and Lagrene (the spotlighted players, though Pizzarelli is no slouch), as their instinctive interplay and reactions to one another throughout the CD are a treat. Carter, however, is a clear cut above Niculescu, whose solos just aren't as striking. Most of the tracks are short and to the point, excepting an almost ten-minute interpretation of Django's best-known composition, "Nuages," though the quick run through Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" rivals it as the most memorable performance. Fans of jazz guitar will devour this very tasty release. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	10/02/2001
Label:	Atlantic
UPC:	0075678349829
Rank:	153196

Tracks

1. The Sheik of Araby  - Jon Burr  - Jimmy Rosenberg  - Harry Beasley Smith  - Ted Snyder  - Frank Vignola  - Francis Wheeler
2. I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me  - Joe Ascione  - Jon Burr  - Regina Carter  - Clarence Gaskill  - Jimmy McHugh  - Jimmy Rosenberg  - Frank Vignola
3. Swing 49  - Jon Burr  - Bireli Lagrene  - Django Reinhardt  - Jimmy Rosenberg  - Frank Vignola
4. Bei Dir War Es Immer So Sch¿¿n  - Jon Burr  - Theo Mackeben  - Jimmy Rosenberg  - Frank Vignola
5. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)  - Joe Ascione  - Jon Burr  - Regina Carter  - Duke Ellington  - Irving Mills  - Jimmy Rosenberg  - Frank Vignola
6. Nuages  - Joe Ascione  - Florin Niculescu  - Bucky Pizzarelli  - Django Reinhardt  - Jimmy Rosenberg  - Frank Vignola
7. Turkish Delights  - Joe Ascione  - Jon Burr  - Jimmy Rosenberg  - Frank Vignola
8. Angelo's Song  - Jon Burr  - Jimmy Rosenberg  - Frank Vignola
9. Gypsymania  - Jon Burr  - Jimmy Rosenberg  - Frank Vignola
10. I Can't Give You Anything But Love  - Jon Burr  - Dorothy Fields  - Jimmy McHugh  - Jimmy Rosenberg  - Frank Vignola
11. Une Histoire Simple  - Jon Burr  - Pete Malinverni  - Florin Niculescu  - Babik Reinhardt  - Django Reinhardt  - Leroy Williams
12. Limehouse Blues  - Philip Braham  - Jon Burr  - Douglas Furber  - Bucky Pizzarelli  - Jimmy Rosenberg  - Frank Vignola

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bucky Pizzarelli   Primary Artist,Guitar
Florin Niculescu   Primary Artist,Violin
Regina Carter   Primary Artist,Violin
Pete Malinverni   Primary Artist,Piano
Leroy Williams   Primary Artist,Drums
Frank Vignola   Primary Artist,Guitar
Joe Ascione   Primary Artist,Percussion
Bireli Lagrene   Primary Artist,Guitar
Jimmy Rosenberg   Primary Artist,Guitar
Babik Reinhardt   Primary Artist,Guitar
Jimmy Rosenburg   Primary Artist
Jon Burr   Primary Artist,Bass

Technical Credits

Jimmy Rosenberg   Composer
Irving Mills   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Clarence Gaskill   Composer
Django Reinhardt   Composer
Francis Wheeler   Composer
Jim Czak   Mixing
Douglas Furber   Composer
Pat Philips   Producer,Liner Notes,Photography
Greg Calbi   Mastering
David Ruffo   Engineer
Bill Moss   Assistant Engineer
Harry Beasley Smith   Composer
Ettore Stratta   Producer
Philip Braham   Composer
Dorothy Fields   Composer
Jimmy McHugh   Composer
Ted Snyder   Composer
Theo Mackeben   Composer
Mike Peters   Liner Notes