The Hot Club of San Francisco

This ensemble of accomplished and versatile musicians celebrates the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli’s pioneering Quintette du Hot Club de France. The HCSF borrows the instrumentation of violin, bass, and guitars from the original Hot Club while breathing new life into the music with innovative arrangements of classic tunes and original compositions.

“…one of the most cohesive and entertaining Gypsy swing bands in the United States. – San Francisco Chronicle

Representation and Touring Formats

Representation: PAC’s North America
Touring Formats:  Quintet

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This ensemble of accomplished and versatile musicians celebrates the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli’s pioneering Quintette du Hot Club de France. The HCSF borrows the instrumentation of violin, bass, and guitars from the original Hot Club while breathing new life into the music with innovative arrangements of classic tunes and original compositions from the group’s superb lead guitarist, Paul Mehling. Featuring the silken violin of twice GRAMMY® Award-winning Evan Price, the velvet vocals of Isabelle Fontaine, and a swinging rhythm section, the group never fails to surprise and delight.

To hear the ensemble live or on any of their 14 albums is to be carried back to the tight, smoky jazz clubs of 1930’s Paris and to the refined lounge of the famous Hotel Ritz. Often called gypsy jazz, the music of The Hot Club of San Francisco has entranced audiences around the globe for over 25 years. Acoustic Guitar has hailed the group’s playing as “intricate, scorching and often brilliant.” With frequent national and international tours—from Iceland to Lincoln Center and the Monterey Jazz Festival—The Hot Club of San Francisco keeps this historic music fresh and alive.

“…a relaxed, swinging delight– Downbeat

This music is about a balance of excitement and beauty, and Hot Club of San Francisco has found the perfect balance.– Jazzweek.com

“…one of the most cohesive and entertaining Gypsy swing bands in the United States” – San Francisco Chronicle

…a dazzling display…” – Charleston Daily Mail

Hot Club sizzles at Jazz in June – Daily Nebraskan

The Hot Club of San Francisco Sizzles” – San Jose Mercury News

…There aren’t enough superlatives to describe their sound….”- All About Jazz

…Intricate, scorching, and often brilliant solos.” – Acoustic Guitar

Hot Club quintet simmers” – San Francisco Examiner

The music of the Hot Club of San Francisco is engagingly wonderful, its member’s solos precise and jazzy.” – The Napa Valley Register

 

Date

Venue/Lineup

Location

10/06/2023The Sophia B Street Theatre
Sacramento, CA

Fire up your holidays with Hot Club Cool Yule, a swinging gypsy wagon trip to the North Pole featuring many of your favorites and some rarer seasonal gems. Performed by The Hot Club of San Francisco in their inimitable style, reminiscent of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France, this dazzling holiday offering has something for everyone. Make this season bright with the flames of gypsy jazz!

“Instead of slavishly replicating Django’s every lick, the HCSF takes Gypsy jazz to new places, resulting in one of the most original, wittiest Christmas albums ever. ‘Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ becomes a tango, ‘Carol of the Bells’ is glued to Vince Guaraldi’s ‘Skating’. By guitarist Paul Mehling’s own admission, more than just the title of ‘Djingle Bells’ is twisted …just right.” – Dan Forte, Vintage Guitar Magazine 

The acclaimed Hot Club of San Francisco and the popular French vocalist, Isabelle Fontaine, have created Meet Me in Paris, a charming concert evoking the romance, charm, and vivre of Paris.

Love songs and driving gypsy jazz are a combination made famous in 1930’s Paris by the legendary Hot Club de France, Django Reinhardt, and Stephane Grappelli. Following the First World War, the city was a gathering place for artists from around the world and The Hot Club’s unique sound of gypsy jazz reflects this inter-wartime collection of cultures. Keep time with the strum of guitars and let magical violin melodies take you on a ride down the Seine and through the heart of the city. Ms. Fontaine’s mix of sweet and sultry songs adds a touch of beauty and authenticity that echoes the historic Ville- Lumière, “the city of light”.

The Hot Club of San Francisco plays the gypsy jazz music of guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli and the original Hot Club de France. This unique jazz form recalls Paris in the 1930s and offers a swinging beat with a sweet melody. The Hot Club performs many of the original works by Reinhardt and Grappelli and incorporates original works by guitarist Paul Mehling and violinist, Evan Price. Other composers such as Claude Debussy and “Jelly Roll” Morton make appearances as well. An evening with The Hot Club of San Francisco offers a night of unforgettable music.