Joe Craven - Django Latino CD

$18.00
At age 21, Django Reinhardt entered into a turbulent and brilliant partnership with pianist and violinist Stephane Grapelli. Both exhibited a mastery of musical expression and together recorded some of the most significant jazz of the 20th Century. The grace, soul, taste, and unmistakable tone of Stephane's violin along with Django's unconventional intensity were hallmarks of their group, The Quintet of the Hot Club of France.

Joe Craven is someone who knows what music should sound like, and his appreciation for Django and Stephane's one-of-a-kind music is painted in glorious color on Django Latino. The multi-instrumentalist craft infinitely appealing instrumental works from Django and Stephane's texts, making them swing and glide with a pronounced Latin flavor. Incorporating everything from mandolin to mouth percussion, Craven is right at home here!

Joe Craven is well-known for his virtuosity as a multi-instrumentalist and came to national attention during the 17 years that he toured as a member of the David Grisman Quintet.

Django Latino makes the most of its creator's imaginative capacities. Craven successfully internalizes the multifaceted music of French gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhart, then recasts it through the lens of a rich Latin soundscape, creating tracks that are "festive and spicy where the originals are swinging and hot" (Allaboutjazz.com). Playing mandolin, mandola, cavaquino, ukulele and a full range of percussion instruments, Craven takes advantage of modern, multi-tracking technology to play nearly every part on several of the tracks, which range from Cuban danzon to Brazilian choro samba to Puerto Rican plena. "Ambitious as that might sound," says the Los Angeles Times of the stylistic and instrumental scope of the project, "Craven brings it off, playing with briskly swinging inventiveness and convincing authenticity."

1. Minor Swing mp3
2. Sweet Chorus mp3
3. Hungaria mp3
4. Nuages mp3
5. Melodie au Crepuscule/Manoir de Mes Reves mp3
6. Douce Ambiance mp3
7. Babik/Festival mp3
8. Anouman mp3
9. Montagne Ste. Genevieve mp3
10. Double Scotch/Artillerie Lourde mp3
11. Swing 39
12. Swing 42
13. Tears
14. Djangology

Released Jan. 23, 2007