Django a Gogo

Django a Gogo is a music festival which aims to share the beauty of the Gypsy art form developed by French guitar master Django Reinhardt, considered by many as the greatest guitarist who ever lived, through a series of concerts, jam sessions, and guitar workshops.

Before we proceed with the festival, we would like to express our thoughts about the word "Gypsy," from the Gypsies themselves:

"Gypsy Jazz" is the name given to the particular style created by Django Reinhardt. According to Hungarian gypsy-born guitar master Debi Botos, "Gypsy" is the name of her people, and it is not an insult. It is a name they wear with pride, like any other people in the world. The English word "Gypsy" is a translation from the Spanish "Gitanos." There is no other name for them in Spain. In France, there are various names such as "Gitan" (same root), "Manouche," and "Sinti." In Eastern Europe, they are mostly referred to as "Rom." However, all Gypsies come from Rajasthan a millennium ago. Although Gypsies are subject to harassment, especially in Eastern Europe, they do not think of their general people's name as negative. If not used in the context of an insult, it is a word that carries in itself great poetic symbolism of bohemian lifestyle, freedom, travels, music, colors, and dance. And, of course, as lovers of Django Reinhardt and all Gypsy cultures, we use it in the positive context where it belongs.

Django a gogo is a celebration of all that. We are bringing the greatest musicians in the Gypsy Jazz style from all over the world, such as Simba Baumgartner (Django Reinhardt's grandson), Angelo Debarre and Serge Camps (2 of the greatest masters the guitars has ever seen, 2 living legends,  from France) and Aurore Voilqué (a master violinist from France).

The festival includes a four-night concert series in Maplewood, NJ, at the Woodland with the final show at the legendary Town Hall in NYC (a 1500-seat theatre built in the 20s to provide world-class classical sonic conditions), and a guitar camp. The shows will showcase  Django's music (Gypsy Jazz) and traditional Eastern European Gypsy folk songs. The final show will involve 20 musicians!

The guitar camp will allow students of all levels to study with the masters and receive some of the techniques involved in this very secretive style of music. The shows will be followed by jam sessions in the local pub, offering people a unique exposure to this beautiful and rich culture.