 BY LOGAN GREELY
A note to the unfamiliar: to put into perspective the importance of
legendary French jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, one would have to
look to other genres of music for comparison. The indelible mark he has
left on the genre since his death in the early ’50s can arguably be
compared to the likes of Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Charlie Parker.
And if tribute festivals can be used as a benchmark, the amount of
national and international “ DjangoFests” that occur each year — and the
loyal Django fans that travel from city to city to attend such
festivals — Reinhardt’s popularity rivals that of the Grateful Dead.
However, this region of the country was introduced to this cult-like phenomenon a mere year ago when the inaugural New Mexico Djangofest was held in Santa Fe, inluding both live performances, guitar workshops and dance lessons.
This year, festival organizers made the decision to set up camp in Albuquerque, where the gypsy jazz community has a more solid foundation. So solid that the music of one of the city’s most celebrated bands, Le Chat Lunatique, closely adheres to the church of Django. No wonder that Le Chat’s band leader, John Sandlin, has taken on the task of festival organizer.
“At last year’s festival, we were lucky enough to get in (on the bill),” Sandlin related to Local iQ in a recent conversation. “Because of that, we formed a relationship with the (original) organizer of the festival. After many discussions, we decided to bring it to Albuquerque and I (offered) to organize it.”
Organize it he did. This year’s festival, which will span three days at various venues around Albuquerque, boasts one of gypsy jazz’s most lauded talents, Howard Alden.
“Oh yes,” Sandlin remarked when asked if Alden was as talented as people say. “He’s one of the best.”
Other acts scheduled to perform at this year’s festival include the Hot Club of Phoenix, Pearl Handled Pistol, Mango Fan Django, Carute Roma and Sweet and Lowdown.
When asked why he thinks the music of Reinhardt has made such a lasting impression, Sandlin pointed to the music itself, which he says influenced his own music the moment he discovered gypsy jazz.
“(It’s) the feel of playing it,” Sandlin explained. “I have many musical loves, but as far as jazz goes, the first time I played (gypsy jazz), it just clicked.”
Sandlin also noted that because the southwestern region of the country is the least represented in terms of Djangofests, his goal is to draw the “Django-philes” to N.M. each year.
“We want to make (ABQ) a destination for these people,” Sandlin said of the loyal fanbase.
“We want just one little slice of the jazz pie.”
2nd Annual New Mexico Djangofest
Oct.19 through Oct. 21
Multiple venues
$20 (in advance — includes admission to all concerts); $30 at door; $10 (individual concerts)
Advance tickets can be purchased online at manouchenorthamerica.com or at Encore Music (5314 Menaul NE, 888.0722)
lechatlunatique.com
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