Stephane Wrembel - The Django Experiment I (2017) {Water Is Life Records WIL11}

The Django Experiment is the Stephane Wrembel Band's unique way of performing the music of Django Reinhardt. A perfect blend of the original Gypsy sound with the New York City voodoo. Mainly Django's music, and a few compositions by Stephane Wrembel.

Award-winning gypsy-jazz guitarist Stephane Wrembel will release two new recordings, The Django Experiment I and The Django Experiment II, on March 3rd on Water Is Life Records. Both recordings primarily feature Wrembel’s interpretation of the songs of legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt as well as original compositions by Wrembel and a few other writers in the same vein of music.

Wrembel is best known for “Bistro Fada,” the theme song from the 2011 Woody Allen Oscar-nominated movie, “Midnight In Paris.” Subsequently, Wrembel was hand-selected by award winning composer/producer Hans Zimmer to perform at the 2012 Academy Awards® as part of his “All Star Band.” Wrembel has contributed music to two other Allen films, commercials, and TV and now has both a Clio Award and Grammy Award under his belt. He has toured around the world and is immensely popular in India.

The two Django projects were recorded, mixed and mastered by Eric Ritter at Windmill Agency Recording Studio in Lake Ariel, PA. Wrembel was joined in the studio by long-time collaborators Thor Jensen (guitar), Ari Folman Cohen (bass), Nick Anderson (drums) and Nick Driscoll (saxophone, clarinet). Both albums feature original artwork by Wrembel.

Wrembel comments, “25 years ago I spent many years with the gypsy masters patiently learning their craft the traditional way. Then it's been a long journey touring the world and experiencing the NYC jungle's energy. I spent the last 15 years composing and touring playing my own music. The Django Experiment is a re-exploration of my roots as a gypsy jazz guitarist, a tribute to Django Reinhardt, revisited with a new sound and years of integration of new musical informations…sort of Django meets NYC meets the world. It is actually extremely traditional and extremely non-traditional at the same time. What's important is the use of colors and sounds over his music that has not been done before.”

The release of the CDs will coincide with the Django A Gogo Music Festival, which will be held at Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall on Friday, March 3rd. Wrembel produces and performs at the event along with Al Di Meola, Stochelo Rosenberg, Larry Keel, Ryan Montbleau, David Gastine, Nick Anderson, Thor Jensen, Ari Folman-Cohen and Nick Driscoll.

Personnel:
Stephane Wrembel: guitar
Thor Jensen: guitar
Nick Driscoll: saxophone and clarinet
Ari Folman-Cohen: bass
Nick Anderson: drums

Track Listing
01 - Nuages
02 - Gin-Gin
03 - Bouncin' Around
04 - Dinette
05 - Troublant Bolero
06 - Windmills
07 - Place de Broukere
08 - Carnets de Route
09 - Djangology
10 - Ma Premiere Guitare
11 - Jacques Prevert
12 - Minor Swing