Django Reinhardt , the gipsy jazz "king", new life out of Brooklyn.

I love Django Reinhardt music so Sunday I learned that somewhere in Brooklyn, in Park Slope to be exact, a band was playing his music. It reminded me so much of a period before and after  World War 2 , I never knew but always  been curious about. Something rebellious and elegant where poetry and music were in black and white , an era  with movies with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

My friends and I decided to drive from midtown Manhattan to this bar, called "Barbes." With a name like that, my mind was already geared towards something special. It’s also the name of a famous area in Paris full of great Parisian history, when you read Zola, you will know what I am talking about.

The journey through Brooklyn was really interesting, this borough keeps getting more and more fascinating so much is happening there, so many projects and developments, I really encourage you to take a trip here and observe for yourself what is today a bustling and dynamic district.

We finally arrived to this bar, "Barbes", extremely charming and low key, a red velvet atmosphere, with great Brooklyn characters sitting and drinking their lager. I immediately felt very comfortable and at ease. Almost in Paris on a Sunday night. A long hallway with bar stools everywhere and in the end, there was a small room with a stage and many people sitting, drinking and waiting to hear the band. Three people walked towards the small stage with their instruments. Here they are ,  really looking like musicians , or at least a hip band.

I was holding in my hand a small prospectus with the schedule for the evening.
STEPHANE WREMBEL presents THE DJANGO EXPERIMENT: French virtuoso Guitarist Stephaney Wrembel seems to have channeled both the technique and the fire of Django Reinhardt. He studied for years with the manouche (the French Gypsies) but has also gotten deep into American vernacular musical styles. His weekly sets will mix up the traditional Django repertoire along gypsy swing re-interpretations of standards.

the band

Wow, I said to myself. And to tell you the truth, I was very happy to be there, Stephane announced that he wrote the music of the last Woody Allen movie, and from his opinion, the best movie ever by Allen. 

With a wry sense of humor , I asked , how was Carla in the movie, and the comment from Stephane was excellent. Every one applauded and thought I was funny.

Apparently Paris is being the center of the movie,  and it's really great. I think Stephane thought that if Paris was the main character of the movie , it was enough to certify , its greatness. No one can disagree with him on this one .

So I cannot wait to see the movie. I want to share with you a little of the evening in this little clip , I taped.

After a few drinks and a great time listening to some great gig , I decided to drive back to Manhattan but in my heart , I wished Brooklyn was my home now, it is so cool. If you look for authenticity , it's the place to be

A most enchanting morning

Early this morning, I was on my way to work in my studio in Long Island City, a beautiful sunny day with a crisp blue sky, a gorgeous aquamarine that you find only in a New York spring day. I entered my industrial loft building and got into the elevator like I do now regularly for years. This is the kind of blue-collar neighborhood, which exudes the guts of the city, it is electric, tense and so real in emotions with a rainbow of people from all over the world. I push my elevator button and in short time got into my floor. I then realize that something very special is occurring, a sound, an incredible sound was reverberating through my hallway; I had never experienced such a thing, it was as if you were in a cathedral. Something highly magical was happening, curious as I am I walked along this long hallway, and there in a corner hidden, a man was playing his guitar with such heavenly talent that I  could not believe  what I was witnessing. Alone in a corner, sitting on a broken chair, he was playing for himself, some magical songs. Not used for this kind of situation, I just stood there and listened to his music, almost levitating. I felt totally spiritually elevated, seeing this amazing musician playing for an audience of one. He told me that he was from Haiti and was here for the last 40 years, and that his name was Lionel Germain.

I introduced myself and told him that I was an artist and working on the floor and that he was most welcomed to come and play in my studio whenever he felt like it. My soul was opening as if I was praying, it was surreal.

I stood there for another 10 minutes, and was counting my blessings, this beautiful gift that was offered to me to start the day with the sound of music and talent.

Lionel touched my soul in a unique way; he works during the day, as a clerk in a big commercial enterprise, to earn his keeps. But in the morning before working, he is there in the hallway enchanting the space with his talent, and getting an enormous pleasure doing what he loves above all.

True his existence, I realized how blessed I am to do what I really like without having to compromise like Lionel. His smile and his “joie de vivre” is infectious, probably a modest life, but in a way, I was jealous of his freedom and his ability to carry his guitar and create these unforgettable moments for strangers to admire.

Another one of these untypical New York characters that create a beautiful tapestry of people that have this spark that makes you think about your luck and destiny. This was a grateful moment that reinforces my conviction about why this city, always surprises me, even at my doorstep.

 Lionel Germain

Soutine/Bacon at Helly Nahmad Gallery, wow !

Last night , I went to the opening of  Soutine/Bacon at Helly Nahmad Gallery on Madison Avenue.  The Gallery opening on a Sunday evening was by itself , an audacious gesture. Incredibly the Gallery had it right , the exhibition curated by Maurice Tuchman is a bold and impressive display of imagination and inventiveness. Rarely do you see such impressive vision, Helly Nahmad with this exhibition is presenting to New Yorkers , one of the most fascinating and articulated art show in these last couple of years.

Who would have thought to present Soutine/Bacon, and now that is it on the walls , no one appears to be surprised, this is the beauty of this powerful event.

You have to see the exhibition to really understand , it’s message and it’s derived influence. Maurice Tuchman has genius and in this show and the amazing catalog produced by the Gallery, you realize the effort and courage that it took to gather the works from the world’s best collections and the Nahmad’s own collection.

Just a word also on the opening itself, it was exceptionally well attended, and I had a great time , I always loved Soutine and Bacon. In the world of art , this show will create , a “disruption”, from now on curators will be challenged to think differently when they plan their next show.

photos:

http://bfanyc.com/home/event/1108?page=5

Katarina Ellingsen and Ron Agam at party

for the opening of the Soutine/Bacon show