Pearl Django
Biography
Pearl Django is an American gypsy jazz band, combining the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli with American swing music.
The group’s inception was as a trio in Tacoma, Washington in 1994. They quickly expanded to a quintet, adding a violinist and a third guitarist. An interview on NPR’s All Things Considered in 2001 brought the group to national attention. In June 2002, Pearl Django performed at the prestigious Festival Django Reinhardt in Samois sur Seine, just outside of Paris, France. As of 2007 Pearl Django is working as both a quartet and a quintet (with accordionist, David Lange) All of the members are contributing original compositions to the band’s expansive repertoire. They have released 9 CDs to date.
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Members:
Neil Andersson, Guitar; Ryan Hoffman , Guitar; David Lange, Accordion; Michael Gray, Violin; Rick Leppanen, Bass
Discography:
Modern Times—2007
Chasing Shadows— 2005
Swing 48 — 2003
Under Paris Skies — 2002
Avalon – 2000
Souvenirs – 1999
Mystery Pacific – 1999
New Metropolitan Swing – 1997
Le Jazz Hot – 1995 (out of print)
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.