Check out the new cd!This was part of the London Times top 10 jazz CD's for 2008 as well as CD of the week for FIP radio france Feb 2009.















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Wall Street Journal
13.09.2008 - Django à la Créole
"Clarinetist Evan Christopher, a California native, moved to New Orleans in 1994. In his frequent duets with Tom McDermott, and as a standout member of trumpeter Irvin Mayfield's New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, his erudite and personalized approach to traditional jazz commands attention. After Katrina, Mr. Christopher relocated to Paris for two years. There, he formed two new bands: Django à la Créole, featured on this CD, revisits the storied Hot Club band co-founded by guitarist Django Reinhardt, distilling and emphasizing that music's New Orleans elements. Mr. Christopher draws particular inspiration from Mr. Reinhardt's work with clarinetists, including Ellington sideman and New Orleans native Barney Bigard.

Beginning with the habanera beat dancing beneath "Douce Ambience," the bass and rhythm guitar of Mr. Christopher's drummerless quartet announce a strong rhythmic emphasis. But it's Mr. Christopher's finely calibrated control -- his fluid lines, piercing high notes, and exquisite quiver of vibrato -- and his rapport with the equally expressive guitarist Dave Blenkhorn that steal the show. This is repertory music of the best kind: informed by sincere study, yet never derivative; playful, more so than reverent; aimed at extending, not rehashing, a legacy."

LARRY BLUMENFELD

Etudes Tsiganes
03.02.2009 - Concert at Montargis - english

"Blown away by the quality and the originality of their first album released a few months ago on the small label belonging to their guitarist, Dave Kelbie, how could I not drive the nearly two hours from my house to see their concert organized by the very active Hot Club du Gatinais. The live show confirms all the good things I thought about this quartet. Each one of its members participates equally to the [swing, sound, and balance of the group] ; an exemplary rhythm section (solid bassist, Sebastien Girardot, often featured and Dave Kelbie who mixes swing with fluidity on the rhythm guitar) lays it down for the two soloists. On the recording, Dave Blenkhorn uses an acoustic guitar; on stage he had switched to the electric; a wise decision, both for the acoustic color of the ensemble and the simple fact that the guitarist is essentially a jazzman, who's marvelous choruses are always varied and remarkably well constructed. The Australian clearly gets his inspiration from classic jazz of the 30's and 40's (Armstrong, Fats Waller, Basie, Nat King Cole...). His style is influenced by these greats, to which one must add Charlie Christian and Django, and he imposes fresh ideas and personal arrangements. Now to the leader, Evan Christopher on Clarinet. He is a master of his instrument. This New Orleans music specialist with his warm and woody tone impresses with his strength, his virtuosity, his precision and emotion as much on ballads as on hellish tempos. The quartet interpreted tracks from the CD: Douce Ambiance, Dinette, Nuages, Manoir de mes Reves (a beautiful chorus from Blenkhorn) and also played some standards from the illustrious gypsy (Songe d'Automne in a Brazilian style, Rex Stewart's Low Cotton, Farewell Blues...). As an added bones, two Jelly Roll Morton tunes, one from Armstrong and another from Hoagy Carmichael. All these arrangements transcended the original treatments with delicate timing and exceptional musicality. If you weren't in Paucourt, you can still catch them at the end of June at the Django Reinhardt Festival at Samois sur Seine. While you're waiting, if you havent already, run out and grab their album. One of the best recent releases in the style that is now available from Fremeaux and Associates. Long live Django a la Creole!!"
FRANCIS COUVREUX