Music

Joscho Stephan, more than any other artist, has influenced modern gypsy swing with his playing: Thanks to his authentic tone, his harmonic refinement and sense of rhythm, but above all, his breathtaking solo technique, Stephan has earned himself an outstanding reputation on the international guitar scene with his playing. This master guitarist from Mönchengladbach is now honoring Django Reinhardt on the occasion of the 100th birthday of the father figure of gypsy swing. With his homage, “Django Nuevo”, Joscho Stephan towers over the abundance of current adaptations. He does not, once again, render such ubiquitously known classics as „Nuages“ or „Minor Swing”, but rather pays tribute to the master with five own compositions. By the same token, he reveals himself as a visionary by using 9 compositions by other artists to connect gypsy swing with Latin, classical and pop. The album presents, among others, Santana‘s „Revelations“, Mozart‘s “Turkish March”, and “Michelle” by the Fab Four in brand new and imaginative gypsy swing versions, with Stephan‘s father Günter on rhythm guitar, Max Schaaf on bass and Sebastian Reimann on violin. As for Joscho, a virtuoso of the Maccaferri guitar, he reveals himself to be an original interpreter and a fantastic soloist, whose explosive dynamics, filigree nuances and surprising phrasings confirm his reputation as an original innovator of the genre. With “Django Nuevo”, Joscho Stephan has managed to create a wonderful homage that the legendary master of gypsy swing would surely have been proud of

STOMP  · SO RARE  · RONDO ALLA TURCA  · IF I HAD YOU  · SAN VINCENZO  · DJANGO NUEVO  · FOUR BROTHERS  · MEDLEY: YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL / SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES  · SWAY  · FUNKY BLUES  · YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU  · MICHELLE  · SONG FOR OSCAR  · REVELATIONS

“This live album … is bursting with the leader’s enthusiastic playing, refinements, as well as elegant and in some places unbelievable virtuosity… Remarkably lively, multifaceted and beautiful!” (Steffen Basho-Junghans, Folker!, July/August 2006)

HUNGARIA · CHINA BOY · SWEET CHORUS · EXACTLY LIKE YOU · MAINSTREET BREAKDOWN · OCEAN · ARTILLERIE LOURDE · BELLEVILLE · WEST COAST BLUES · LA GITANE · BOLERO · J'ATTENDRAI · BOSSA DORADO · THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR THE SUNRISE · NUAGES · LES YEUX NOIRS · HARRY LIME THEME · MINOR SWING

Each note, however long or short it may be, flows from tender, loving fingers .... and awakens feelings of true happiness in the listener .... Unconditionally recommended for all Django fans and non-guitarists. Guitar players beware - extremely frustrating! (Concerto, 08 + 09 / 2001)

SWING NEWS · I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS · I’VE HAD MY MOMENTS · CARAVAN · LES YEUX NOIRS · CRAZY VALSE · ALL OF ME · SWEET GEORGIA BROWN · CHINA BOY · BODY AND SOUL · MOCCA · STOMPIN‘ AT DECCA · SWEET SUE · NOVEMBER NIGHT · DINAH · BLACK ORPHEUS