Hot Club of San Francisco

Presented by the Lucas Theatre and Memorial Health

Performing Silent Surrealism
Gypsy jazz with silent film...

The Hot Club of San Francisco is an ensemble of accomplished and versatile musicians celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli's pioneering Hot Club de France. The ensemble borrows the all-string instrumentation of violin, bass and guitars from the original Hot Club, but breathes new life into the music with innovative arrangements of classic tunes and original compositions from the group's superb lead guitarist Paul Mehling. Hearing the ensemble live, or on any of their ten albums, carries the listener back to the 1930's and to the small, smoky jazz clubs of Paris or the refined lounges of the famous Hotel Ritz. Often called gypsy jazz, the music of The Hot Club of San Francisco has entranced audiences around the globe for over 15 years. Critics have hailed the group's playing as "intricate, scorching and often brilliant…" Acoustic Guitar. From American festivals such as Monterey and Chautauqua to festivals in Mexico and France and concert halls across North America, The Hot Club of San Francisco keeps this historic music fresh and alive.