As guitar legend John Pisano joked, “Django Reinhardt would not have worked in a Mexican restaurant!” But what does it matter in Los Angeles, as Pisano brought a band together that delivered a fitting tribute to the famous Belgian artist, reaching the gypsy spirit in all of us in attendance.
Pisano brought a full onslaught of guitarists this evening as he, Bruce Forman and Cody Bryant created buoyant rhythms and solos for violinist Charlie Bisharat and the lithe rhythm team of John Leftwich/b and Jon Palmer/dr. Palmer laid out a fun honky tonkin’ groove for “Sweet Georgia Brown” that showed the contrast of strings, as Bryant’s bohemia, Forman’s strong tensile and Pisano’s flowing bop sounds created a rich palate of lyrical solos. Bisharat’s violin swooned to Leftwich’s sonorous bass on a delicate “Nuages,” while Pisano made Duke Ellington’s “Just Squeeze Me” a la Django as the rhythm team shuffled and Forman delivered quotes from “Tenderly” in the process.”
The three guitarists swung and swayed along with Bisharat on a lovely “It Had To Be You” before the violinist ended the set with a wah-wahing vamp that segued into a bluesy B flat jam. Pisano picked out jivey notes and Forman put on his slide guitar mode to take the caravan to the Mississippi Delta and back. Reinhardt and his Hot Club would have cheered at the inspiration. Just another fret-filled Tuesday night at Viva Cantina.
Next week Anthony Wilson joins the stage.