Van Django - a group of four talented musicians inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt's and Stephane Grapelli's 1930s gypsy jazz group Quintet of the Hot Club of France, plays the Pender Harbour Music Society's Perform-ance Centre on March 8.
Their arrangements and original compositions draw on a galaxy of musical styles while remaining true to the classic sound of the quintet.
Cameron Wilson, violin, is currently a member of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the CBC Radio Orchestra, as well as Van Django. He is also a busy composer/arranger and has collaborated with CBC author and storyteller Stuart Mclean and the CBC Radio Orchestra on History of Canada and I Remember Wayne.
Budge Schachte, guitar, is on the faculty of Guitar Worshop Plus and collaborates with a stellar cast of diverse artists including playwright Thompson Highway, Tango Paradiso, Victoria Symphony, Aché Brazil, Terry Frewer, Brad Turner, Olam, Leora Cashe and many others. Finn Manniche, guitar and cello, is a versatile and passionate musician with a music degree from University of British Columbia and a penchant for playing anything and everything, whether on guitar or cello.
Laurence Mollerup, double bass, is on the music faculty of Vancouver Community College and Capilano College. He has performed with Alan Matheson, Adama, Tango Paradiso, Vancouver New Music, the Vancouver Opera and the Vancouver and Victoria Symphony Orchestras.
With skill, zest and humour, Van Django weave their magic, combining the rich gypsy tradition with their many diverse musical influences. The lads are forging an original West Coast sound, featuring virtuosic solos, bouncy rhythm, witty arrangements and an infectious sense of fun. Vive le gypsy jazz, mes amis.
Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert are $20, available at John Henry's in Garden Bay, Harbour Insurance in Madeira Park and Talewind Books in Sechelt.
