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Come discover the music of Django Reinhardt with us!
Camp Django!
October 3rd-6th: Join us for our first annual "Camp Django," where we will be diving deep into the music of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli in the beautiful city of Ashland, OR! We will have workshops, jams, and concerts featuring some of the best musicians in the world.
Whats going on?
There are several exciting events that will be part of the festival! A lot is still being added(wine tasting, student concerts, and of course jams!)
Instructors (2024)
Sam Farthing
Twenty-one year old Baltimore guitarist, composer, and educator Sam Farthing has dedicated his life to the preservation of the traditions of gypsy jazz and swing. Beginning his musical journey as a classical guitarist, Sam gravitated towards the music of Sinti swing guitarist Django Reinhardt, and began immersing himself completely in the style. Over the last seven years, Samuel has studied and performed with some of the world's top gypsy jazz guitarists including Stochelo and Mozes Rosenberg, Fapy Lafertin, Tchavolo and Samson Schmitt and many others. Samuel has performed in some of the world's most prestigious gypsy jazz festivals across the world including Samois, Django sur Lennon, Djangofest Northwest, Djangofest Mill Valley, Django a Gogo, and the Charm City Django Jazz Fest.
Eva Slongo
Eva Slongo was born in Switzerland to a family of classical musicians. She first trained as a professional classical violinist.
One day, by chance, she tried to improvise with musicians in a bar; she felt such euphoria that she spent a sleepless night … It was then that she decided to do everything she could to practice improvisation on the violin.
After her classical diplomas, she changed direction and started from scratch … She studied jazz violin with Pierre Blanchard in Lausanne, then with Didier Lockwood in Paris, where she decided to stay and live for music. She also practiced improvisation on vocals, which led her to create her very noticeable unique color: improvising on the violin and scatting simultaneously.
In Paris, Eva Slongo met renowned musicians from the world of gypsy jazz with whom she shared the stage: Biréli Lagrène, Wawau Adler, Sébastien Giniaux, Ninine Garcia, and many others … But her trips to New York inspired her to create a more modern project around her compositions. She recorded her first EP “TRÉSOR” with Laurent Coulondre on organ, then the album “Inspirations” in quartet, with Joran Cariou on piano, and with Didier Lockwood as guest.
In 2011, she won the Prize for Best Improvisation at the Stéphane Grappelli International Violin Competition sponsored by Didier Lockwood. In 2016, she obtained the 2nd prize of the Golden Jazz Trophy with her quartet.
After all these years of experience, she was led to give masterclasses internationally. She needed to share more of her learning of the jazz violin, but struggled to find the time and method to do so. Her first pregnancy forced her to slow down concerts… but it led her to do what she would never have imagined: create a new educational concept on the internet, the blog “Learn Jazz Violin” which has become the 1st Google search result in French jazz violin, and finally a method “The new way to learn jazz violin.”
Eva Slongo’s new album “Souffle” was recorded in collaboration with pianist Giovanni Mirabassi, with whom she shares the stage regularly.
Jimmy Grant
Native to Northern California, Jimmy Grant grew up in a household full of rich musical influences. While his early influences also included Russian Folk, Bluegrass, Celtic and Classical, from a young age he gravitated towards the music of Django Reinhardt. He has studied with acclaimed guitarists Jim Nichols and Howard Alden, and in addition to Django Reinhardt, his other major musical influences are Bach, Benny Goodman, and Joe Pass. He has performed with artists such as David Grisman, Gonzalo Bergara, Ludovic Beier, Andreas Oberg, Tim Kliphuis, Paulus Schafer, Robin Nolan, Trio Dinicu, Rhythm Future Quartet, and the Hot Club of San Francisco, and has played at Djangofest Northwest, The Savannah Music Festival, Nor Cal Jazz Festival, and The New York Hot Jazz Festival. In addition to performing, Jimmy teaches private students and has been on the faculty of the Django in June Festival in Massachusetts. Jimmy also writes for “Gypsy Jazz Secrets Magazine”. He has recorded two albums under his own name, as well as on several other jazz & rock albums. Jimmy's original song “Insomnia” was a finalist in the John Lennon songwriting competition in the jazz category.
About Ashland, OR
ASHLAND, OR
Ashland, Oregon, nestled in the scenic Rogue Valley and surrounded by the breathtaking Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges, offers an idyllic setting for a Gypsy jazz camp and concert. Known for its vibrant arts community and the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland exudes a cultural richness and creative energy that harmonizes beautifully with the spirited rhythms of Gypsy jazz. The town's charming downtown, filled with quaint shops, cafes, and galleries, provides a perfect backdrop for both intimate jam sessions and larger performances. Lithia Park, with its lush greenery and serene atmosphere, offers a picturesque outdoor venue, while the community's support for music and the arts ensures an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. Additionally, the nearby Medford Airport provides convenient access for travelers, making it easy for musicians and attendees from across the country to reach this enchanting destination. Ashland's welcoming atmosphere, combined with its natural beauty, artistic spirit, and accessibility, makes it an ideal location for a Gypsy jazz event, promising an unforgettable experience for all.
