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