Thomas Kretzschmar violin · Humberto Rios piano · Gildas Le Garrec doublebass · Fran Gazol drums
Born in Nîmes in 1974, Thomas Kretzschmar is one of the great violinists of the gypsy jazz scene, a musician who recreates the essence and drive of the so-called “European swing” with virtuosity and his own personality. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with renowned artists from the gypsy-jazz scene, such as Biréli Lagrène, Angelo Debarre, Stochelo Rosenberg, and Tchavolo Schmitt. He is also known for his ‘Tribute to Stéphane Grappelli’, which he will perform at Jamboree. Born in Paris in 1908 and passing away in the same city in 1997, Stéphane Grappelli was the wisest and most classical violinist in jazz. Thanks to his participation in the string quartet of the Hot Club de France, alongside Django Reinhardt, he became known to the public. When Reinhardt, “the genius of gypsy jazz,” passed away prematurely, Grappelli continued his path solo and with various formats. The simplicity, lyricism, and perfect logic of Grappelli’s discourse resonated with the piano trio, including the one that will accompany Kretzschmar in this session. The music of the great Stéphane Grappelli, who performed at Jamboree in the 1960s, returns to the cellar of Plaça Reial through the hands of one of the best gypsy jazz musicians.
