DORADO SCHMITT QUARTET - Claire De Lune
Stunt Records: STUCD18132
Dorado Schmitt: violin, guitar; Amati Schmitt: guitar; Franco Mehrstein: rhythm guitar; Esben Mylle Strandvig: rhythm guitar; Kristian Jorgensen: violin
Recorded 18th and 19th February 2018 by Jorgen Vad at the Bruunske Pakhus, Frederica, Denmark
From the line up, and the fact that two of the pieces of Django Reinhardt tunes (‘Troublant bolero’, track 9, and ‘Tears’, track 10), you might have a reasonable sense of what you’re in for on this set. Schmitt, born in Lorraine and steeped in Roma music, plays violin and guitar with equal facility and, joined by his son, has been not only celebrating Reinhardt’s music but also reinterpreting it in a style that feels both contemporary and historically accurate. The versions of ‘Only you’ (track 3) and ‘Swing for Wadi’ (track 8) could have come directly from Le Quintette de Hot Club du France.
Interestingly, on the former the violin is played by Jorgensen (with more than a nod to Grappelli) and on the latter by Schmitt (who swings in a folksier manner). On the other hand, the group canter through ‘Them there eyes’ (track 5) at a breathtaking speed that Jorgensen tries to rein in a little in his violin solo but which ends with a shouted ‘hoy’ and loud applause.
That this is a live recording is apparent from the audience interaction, but the quality of the playing is so high that it is easy to forget that this not a studio set. I felt envious of the audience who got to watch such fantastic maestros at work. For its sheer élan and wonderful capturing of the spirit of Reinhardt, this deserves to be an album of the year and a welcome present for anyone who loves jazz.
Reviewed by Chris Baber
Stunt Records: STUCD18132
Dorado Schmitt: violin, guitar; Amati Schmitt: guitar; Franco Mehrstein: rhythm guitar; Esben Mylle Strandvig: rhythm guitar; Kristian Jorgensen: violin
Recorded 18th and 19th February 2018 by Jorgen Vad at the Bruunske Pakhus, Frederica, Denmark
From the line up, and the fact that two of the pieces of Django Reinhardt tunes (‘Troublant bolero’, track 9, and ‘Tears’, track 10), you might have a reasonable sense of what you’re in for on this set. Schmitt, born in Lorraine and steeped in Roma music, plays violin and guitar with equal facility and, joined by his son, has been not only celebrating Reinhardt’s music but also reinterpreting it in a style that feels both contemporary and historically accurate. The versions of ‘Only you’ (track 3) and ‘Swing for Wadi’ (track 8) could have come directly from Le Quintette de Hot Club du France.
Interestingly, on the former the violin is played by Jorgensen (with more than a nod to Grappelli) and on the latter by Schmitt (who swings in a folksier manner). On the other hand, the group canter through ‘Them there eyes’ (track 5) at a breathtaking speed that Jorgensen tries to rein in a little in his violin solo but which ends with a shouted ‘hoy’ and loud applause.
That this is a live recording is apparent from the audience interaction, but the quality of the playing is so high that it is easy to forget that this not a studio set. I felt envious of the audience who got to watch such fantastic maestros at work. For its sheer élan and wonderful capturing of the spirit of Reinhardt, this deserves to be an album of the year and a welcome present for anyone who loves jazz.
Reviewed by Chris Baber
