One of the endearing qualities of the French is that they revere their traditions and styles. Where we Americans continually “move on,” artists like guitarist Dorado Schmitt revel in styles that, once created, need to be continually explored and appreciated. In that context, the celebration of the sounds and rhythms of legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt was in full glory as Schmitt and company (and family!) delivered two full hours of turning the Santa Barbara theatre into a gypsy caravan.
Opening up the concert in traditional family style, Schmitt the elder came on stage with son Samson Schmitt/g, cousin Francko Mehrstein/g and Xavier Nikq/b, the dapper Schmitt looked, picked and exuded the inspiring Reinhardt during fevered takes of “Swing Gitan” and “Django’s Tiger” with wondrous fret work between father and son, while the elder switched to violin on a stampeding “Stompin’ at Decca.”
Joining from stage left come Ludovic Beier/acc and Pierre Blanchard/v to add an even more Left Bank flavor, with the whole ensemble delving into wondrous two step joys as “Charleston” and “Just a Gigolo.” The contrast between the father’s emphasis on style verses the son’s leaning on speed and technique was a wonderful display of a generational conversation. The mix of violins and guitars was as rich as a Provencial olive oil, while the pulse of the rhythm guitars was as steady and enticing as the Seine. A reading of “Minor Swing” was jaunty like a tilted beret, and the wild pairing of violins between Schmitt and Blanchard on “Sweet Georgia Brown” was enough to call out Meadowlark Lemon, as the pair of gypsies sounded like fair maidens calling for a prince. Beier got a chance to blow on the melodic for a gracious “For Dorado” that breezed like a night on the Normandy Coast, while the toddlin’ “Chicago” was as sweet as a southern Rose’.
This wasn’t an evening of mere imitation of an era, however, as the band was able to mix themes from The Simpsons and The Godfather into tunes to show that jazz is a verb, and not a noun. By the time the band closed the evening with an irresistible “Bossa Dorado” and encored with (what else?) Reinhardt’s anthem “Nuages” the band had convinced the packed house that, as with all things French, the difference of success in food, as well as music, is in the flavor, and that’s all the difference in the world.
Upcoming shows at The Lobero include The Preservation Hall Jazz Band w/ Allen Toussaint (Nov 25) and Robert Cray (Dec 8)