HOT CLUB OF DETROIT

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015
5:00 PM
CHESTER MEETING HOUSE

SPONSORED BY FIRST NIAGARA BANK

A jazz ensemble specializing in the Gypsy jazz sound made famous by guitarist Django Reinhardt, the Hot Club of Detroit was formed in 2001 by Reinhardt disciple and virtuoso guitarist Evan Perri. In 2012, the Hot Club of Detroit’s “Junction” displayed an electrifying and visionary ensemble that takes the traditions pioneered by Reinhardt and spins them in a way that’s both reverent and refreshingly contemporary.

About Evan Perri, lead guitar  Although he claims to have no Gypsy blood in him, Hot Club founder Evan Perri spent nearly six years roaming the campuses of five different colleges in search of the right music program. The son of a jazz guitarist, he did not pick up a guitar until age 16 and never heard a Django Reinhardt recording until his twenties. However, while still a fan of greats like Pat Martino and Kenny Burrell, Mr. Perri vividly remembers hearing Django for the first time and thinking, “This is it. This is what I’ve been looking for.” The HCOD was born out of his desire to recreate the sound he describes as “Parisian Café 1936, but with better sound equipment” in Detroit.

About Julien Labro, accordion Julien Labro is renowned as one of today’s foremost accordion and bandoneón players. Picking up the accordion at the age of 9, French-born Labro graduated from the Marseille Conservatory of Music and has won numerous international competitions. From early on, Mr. Labro was influenced by traditional folk music and the lyrical qualities of the French chanson, and inspired by the freedom and creativity of jazz. As a soloist, he has appeared with numerous orchestras internationally, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.

About Ivan Peña, rhythm guitar  Ivan Peña was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to a family from Peru. He began singing religious and classical music in the Tulsa Boys Choir at age seven. He picked up the guitar in his high school jazz band, forging a career as a jazz guitarist performing around the United States and Europe. Currently, he works at the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated with a degree in modern languages.

About Jordan Schug, bass Originally from southeast Michigan, Jordan Schug studied music at the University of North Texas. Aside from playing the double bass, Jordan is also a jazz cello player, and for the past two years  has played bass in 5ths tuning, following in the footsteps of bassist Red Mitchell.

Program will be announced from the stage.
There will be one intermission.

At the conclusion of the program, members of the audience are invited to meet the artists and share refreshments generously donated by Wheatmarket.