Manouche Guitars: Henry Acker, Frank Anastasio, Tommy Davy
An extraordinary night of Jazz Manouche comes to the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center, as three internationally acclaimed musicians join forces for a rare and unforgettable performance. At the center of the evening is Laguna Beach’s own Tommy Davy, a true steward of this music and a bridge between Laguna and the global Gypsy Jazz community. As host of the upcoming Manouche Sessions TV series on Laguna Beach TV, Tommy is helping bring this rich musical tradition to a wider audience, and this performance offers a powerful glimpse of what’s to come. Joining him is Boston-based guitarist Henry Acker, a prodigious talent whose playing has already earned him recognition alongside some of the greatest names in jazz. A child prodigy who began performing professionally at age nine, Henry combines deep respect for the Django Reinhardt tradition with a fearless, modern voice that has captivated audiences across the U.S. and Europe. On bass is Paris-based master musician Frank Anastasio, whose roots run deep in the legendary Manouche scene of France. Having performed and recorded with many of the genre’s defining figures, and appearing on recordings widely considered among the greatest in Gypsy Jazz history, Frank brings both authority and soul to the stage. Together, this trio creates something far greater than the sum of its parts. This is not just a concert, but a living expression of a global musical tradition, brought into an intimate setting where every note, every exchange, and every moment can be felt. Unlike more cerebral interpretations of this music, this performance leans into energy, interplay, and connection. It is vibrant, dynamic, and deeply human. A true band, not just a gathering of players. Presented in Orange County’s premier listening room, this is a rare opportunity to experience world-class Jazz Manouche up close, right here in Laguna Beach.
Frank Anastasio Trio
Join us at Brussels Bistro for a Cafe-Concert featuring legendary bassist and guitarist Frank Anastasio.
Laguna Beach Guitar Symposium: Olli Soikkeli & Cesar Garabini
“Brazilian chorinho and Gypsy jazz are a natural pair. Both matured in the early 20th century influenced by urbanization, industrialization, European classical music, African rhythms, popular dance music and the dawn of the recording industry. Both are way, way sophisticated but pay explicit homage to their folk roots. And some songs have crossed over from choro to Django and vice versa.”
Laguna Beach Guitar Symposium: Adam Del Monte
“Del Monte has recorded for Deutsche Grammophon, performing the featured flamenco guitar part in the double Grammy Award–winning opera Ainadamar by Osvaldo Golijov (2006), alongside soprano Dawn Upshaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Robert Spano. His compelling performance helped bring the intricate flamenco elements to life within this celebrated work. He went on to perform Ainadamar in major and prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Barbican Centre in London, the Chicago Symphony Center, and the Colorado Music Festival, among numerous other notable locations around the world.”
Laguna Beach Guitar Symposium: Paulus Schäfer
Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center proudly presents Holland’s greatest Gypsy Jazz guitarist, Paulus Schäfer, live in concert on Monday, September 29 at 7 PM. Doors open at 6:30PM.
Laguna Beach Guitar Symposium: John Schroeder and Ross Garren
John Schroeder & Ross Garren
When you listen to John Schroeder and Ross Garren, you’re hearing the harmonica from Beyoncé’s Album of the Year-winning Cowboy Carter, Timothée Chalamet’s Bob Dylan in the film A Complete Unknown, and the guitar featured in recent seasons of Dancing with the Stars. A unique blend of deep reverence for roots music and contemporary soundscapes, these two world-class musicians have brought their distinct styles to millions of listeners and countless stages around the globe. As a duo, they’ve been active for over a decade, playing shows and releasing original music and videos.
ADRIEN MARCO & HUGO GUEZBAR: GYPSY GUITAR VIRTUOSOS
The Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center proudly presents an electrifying night of Gypsy Jazz mastery, featuring two of the most extraordinary guitarists of their generation—Adrien Marco & Hugo Guezbar—alongside acclaimed rhythm guitarist Tommy Davy. Prepare to be swept away by the fiery passion, dazzling technique, and timeless tradition of Jazz Manouche, inspired by the legendary Django Reinhardt.
Laguna Beach Guitar Symposium: Adrien Marco & Hugo Guezbar Masterclass
FOR RESERVATIONS: Tommy@DjangoGuitars.com
GYPSY JAZZ FROM PARIS
A night of virtuosic Gypsy Jazz straight from Paris one night only in San Diego. See the next generation of dazzling and innovative guitarists of this unique style at this one time only performance! Featuring Tommy Davy of DjangoGuitars.com
Gypsy Jazz Jam LA Presents: A Night of Gypsy Jazz Mastery
Experience the fiery passion and dazzling technique of Jazz Manouche with two extraordinary guitarists—Adrien Marco & Hugo Guezbar
GYPSY GUITARS: ANGELO DEBARRE, SERGE CAMPS, FRANK ANASTASIO
FOR RESERVATIONS: Tommy@DjangoGuitars.com
Guitar Artistry of Oscar Aleman
This workshop will deepen your understanding of Oscar Alemán’s genius and add new ideas to your guitar playing. Using transcriptions direct from the original recordings, instructor Greg Ruby will lead the class through a selection of Aleman's repertoire to examine the way he interpreted melodies, accompanied other soloists and used syncopated rhythms in his solos. All written music will be provided in standard notation, tablature and with chord diagrams.
Trio Dinicu @ Alvas Showroom
“Trio Dinicu allows us to discover many jewels of Gypsy music played with great poise and authenticity. “
LMU Guitar Festival
We are excited to welcome guitar fans from around Southern California and beyond back to Murphy Recital Hall for one of the most exciting guitar events in Los Angeles! Come for the whole day, or pick and choose events that work for your schedule. Events will include an outdoor student-produced concert (Friday, March 15), alumni-led jam sessions, an ensemble showcase, workshops, and concerts by Martha Masters and Trio Dinicu.
BMG/Dark Horse Pre-Grammy Celebration W/ Robin Nolan
Robin Nolan: Guitar Tommy Davy: Guitar Michael Papillo: Double Bass
George Harrison was a fan and friend of Robin Nolan, one of the world’s leading authorities on Gypsy Jazz Guitar. Harrison even named him as one of his favourite guitarists! Nolan has a new instrumental album being released by George Harrison’s label ‘Dark Horse Records’ and was recorded using three of George’s famous Beatles guitars including the Gibson J160E which has the distinction of being the only guitar used on every Beatles album, the Spanish Ramirez as famously heard on 'And I Love Her' and the 12 String Rickenbacker 360/12 used by George on the bulk of the 'A Hard Day’s Night' album. This is the first time these guitars have been recorded since the 70's, an exciting prospect for all Beatles fans as well as lovers of the music of George Harrison and acoustic guitar.
Django A GOGO
Sunday, January 21st, 5:00pm: Concert #3
“All Star Finale”
The Stephane Wrembel Band
Stephane Wrembel on guitar, Josh Kaye on guitar, Nick Anderson on drums, Ari Folman-Cohen on bass
Special guests: Tommy Davy, Luanne Homzy with all other musical guests: Simba Baumgartner, Aurore Voilqué, Russel Welch, Samuel Farthing
The History of Gypsy (Roma) Music
In this masterclass, Tommy will musically trace the Romani trail from its roots in Rajasthan across the Middle East and into Europe. We will delve deeply into the Gypsy musician culture, practices and folklore associated with the many layers of this secret world. We will also discuss how a guitar culture was born in Western Europe and how Django Reinhardt would revolutionize music with his alchemy of Gypsy sensibility and popular Jazz music of the era. The class will show selected recordings, videos, and a viewing of photographs collected on Tommy’s travels.
DJANGO A GO GO
Django A Gogo is a world class evening of gypsy jazz performed at the highest level of musicianship produced by heralded guitarist, Stephane Wrembel. The concert repertoire follows the Django canon and veers into reinterpretation, improvisation and interplay between musicians from various backgrounds. Stephane Wrembel is one of the preeminent guitarists specialized in the Django Reinhardt style. Born in France and now based in New Jersey, Wrembel is most known for his Grammy Award®-winning composition “Bistro Fada” from the Academy Award®-winning Woody Allen movie "Midnight In Paris." Since 2001, Wrembel has released over a dozen critically acclaimed albums including a series of recordings in tribute to Reinhardt under the nom de plume, The Django Experiment. Since 2003, Django A Go Go has brought together some of the finest musicians in the world equally influenced by Reinhardt to celebrate the Sinti guitar style to perform in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Town Hall
Trio Dinicu with George Miu
Trio Dinicu with George Miu Master Cimbalom Player. Gypsy/Roma music from Hungary, Romania, Eastern Europe, and Jazz Manouche.
DJANGO A GO GO
“Come together and celebrate the music of legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt! The concert lineup includes Stephane Wrembel, Raphaël Fays, Sébastien Félix, and many more! Join us for live concerts, Master Classes, a guitar raffle, open-jam sessions, food, and merriment.”
Shades of Django w/ Stephane Wrembel
Guitarist Django Reinhardt (1910–1953), the creator of what is now known as "gypsy jazz," is regarded as one of the most influential musicians to emerge from Europe in the 20th century. Shades of Django, created by French-born guitarist and composer Stephane Wrembel and featuring a world-class band, pays tribute to the many elements of Reinhardt's legacy with a musical journey from swing to bebop, impressionism to New Orleans jazz.
DFNW w/ Samson Schmitt, Ludovic Beier, and Simon Planting
For 22 years, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA), has been host and producer of the annual DjangoFest NW music festival in Langley, Washington on Whidbey Island. This well loved local festival brings together top musicians from Europe with America's greatest gypsy jazz stars in concerts, workshops, and late night "Djams".
