THE 8TH ANNUAL CHARM CITY

Django Jazz Fest!

Get ready for Baltimore's annual tribute to legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt and his musical compatriots, who continue to influence generations of musicians. Our 8th year festival will take place on March 24-26, 2023, at An Die Musik.

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    Listen

    Enjoy great live sets from some of the best hot jazz musicians in the world.

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    Learn

    Learn about the history and techniques of Gypsy jazz in expert-led workshops.

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    Meet

    Enjoy a weekend with other jazz aficionados from across Baltimore and around the globe.

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Welcome!

Coming to you from An Die Musik in Baltimore, the 8th Annual Charm City Django Jazz Fest returns with a tuned-in lineup from around the globe celebrating the music and legacy Django Reinhardt.

Jazz attracted me because in it I found a formal perfection and instrumental precision that I admire in classical music, but which popular music doesn't have.

Django Reinhardt

Hire Artistic Director Michael Harris to curate your own Hot Jazz Fest!

Schedule

Friday, March 24

Save with VIP Passes or tickets for both Friday sets.

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    7:00 PM

    Friday Set 1

    Ultrafaux Ensemble

    Ultrafaux Ensemble crosses the boundaries between style and genre, performing original music inspired by Gypsy swing, be-bop, Balkan music, Bluegrass, swing, funk, blues, choro, and musette. 

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    8:30 PM

    Friday Set 2

    Adrien Chevalier Band

    "Greenpoint Blues" is Adrien Chevalier's new album, inspired by the energy of the Gypsy Jazz repertoire and the roots of American Jazz standards, from the music of Django Reinhardt to Jerome Kern and Sonny Rollins. This project is born from the desire to reunite these accomplished musicians, companions of many international tours and musical adventures, around our passion for traditional Jazz and with fresh ideas.
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    Adrien Chevalier is accompanied by:
    . Roberto Catanese on accordion from Sicily
    . Dennis Pol on lead guitar form Italy/Greece
    . Brad Brose on rhythm guitar from California
    . Julian Smith on bass from Chicago

Saturday, March 25

Save with 3-Day VIP Passes or tickets for both Saturday sets.

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    12 PM

    Jason Anick

    Jazz Violin Workshop

    Berklee College of Music Professor Jason Anick, has earned a reputation among string players as an imaginative improviser, versatile composer, and insightful educator. $30 Per Person.

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    1:30 PM

    Henry Acker

    Gypsy Jazz Guitar Workshop

    Henry Acker is a young powerhouse jazz guitarist who performs both in the style of Django Reinhardt as well as traditional jazz. A child prodigy who began playing at age 8 and performing professionally at age 9, his talent and abilities have developed into nothing short of astonishing. $30 Per Person.

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    1:30 PM

    Tyler Rindo

    Django’s Music for Clarinet

    Everyone always talks about Django and Grapelli, but what about Hubert Rostaing? This class is designed to offer ideas and insights about learning and playing Django’s music on clarinet. We will cover topics such as jazz language, articulation, learning tunes and working in a band. All levels are welcome. Tyler Rindo is clarinetist for Ann Arbor based band Djangophonique. $30 Per Person.

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    3 PM

    Craig Bumgarner & Gary Flowers

    Guitar Luthier Show

    Free event for ticketholders! Two renowned luthiers will show custom-built jazz guitars and answer questions about their craft. There will be a jam session as well.

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    7 PM

    Saturday Set 1

    Djangophonique

    A set with the band Djangophonique, a virtuosic, instrumentally driven quartet led by guitar player Andrew Brown. 
    Save with 3-day VIP Passes or tickets for both sets!

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    8:30 PM

    Saturday Set 2

    Jason Anick Quartet with Henry Acker

    A set with the Jason Anick Quartet, featuring guitarist Henry Acker. Sami Arefin (rhythm guita), and Zach Serleth (upright bass) will be joining them. 
    Save with 3-day VIP Passes or tickets for both sets!

Sunday, March 26

Save with 3-day VIP Passes or tickets for both Sunday sets.

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    3 PM

    Sunday Set 1

    Sam Farthing Quintet

    A set with Sam Farthing, a twenty-year-old jazz swing guitarist who is already a top young guitarist in the Jazz Manouche tradition. Nataly Merezhuk will be on violin and Steve Arnold on bass. Also featuring Matt Henry on guitar and Thomas King on accordion.

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    5 PM

    Sunday Set 2

    Hot Club of Baltimore Finale

    A set with The Hot Club of Baltimore, which performs inspired arrangements of the Django Reinhardt repertoire, French waltzes, and Trad Jazz. 

2023 Tickets

You can purchase tickets for individual sets, nightly shows including both sets, workshops a la carte, or all-inclusive passes to the entire weekend!

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Evening Concerts$30/50

Each day of the festival features two sets. Tickets are $30 for one set or $50 for both.

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Saturday Workshops$30 each

Get tickets to two workshops on on Saturday afternoon, for jazz violin and Django Reinhardt style guitar. Each workshop is is $30 per person.

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VIP Passes$150

Admission to all shows, with preferred seating: passholders have the option of having the same seat reserved for the entire festival. Workshops not included.

FAQ

Here you'll find answers to the most common questions about the festival. Still have questions? Message us.

  • Are the workshops for beginners, or only advanced players?

    The workshops will be of value for all levels, but some experience playing jazz is helpful. Students must have basic knowledge of the instrument and be able to play scales and chords. Most importantly, the student should be excited to learn new things and to get inspired! 

  • Can I get a discount or a package deal on concert tickets?

    There is a discount for buying both sets for any evening show and there are a limited number of 3-Day VIP Passes available, which include an option for having your name on a seat up front for all three days. 

  • Is there secure parking available at the venue?

    Yes! There is FREE nearby parking this weekend for our festival, but you have to pick up a voucher at the venue. Please park in the garage on Franklin St., which is directly after you pass An die Musik going north on Charles St (both are one way streets). Pass the venue on Charles St and take immediate left on Franklin, then look for garage entrance immediately on the left! 

  • Are there places to eat or bars near the venue?

    There are plenty of places to eat and drink near An die Musik, including Michael Joseph Harris' personal recommendation for fine dining, Sotto Sopra, right next to An die Musik. There are plenty of other restaurants on Charles Street including Mick O'Sheas, Rod Dee Thai, Home Slyce, Café Poupon, and Lumbini Restaurant. 
    Discount vouchers are available for local restaurants too!

    Homeslyce (Pizza)
    336 N. Charles St.
    (443) 501-4000
    20% discount

    Lumbini (Nepalese and Indian)
    322 N. Charles St.
    Baltimore, MD 21201
    (410) 244-5556
    15% discount

    Poets Modern Cocktails and Eats
    Hotel Indigo
    24 W Franklin St.
    (410) 625-6200
    10% discount

    Rod Dee Thai
    340 N. Charles St.
    (410) 727-0125
    10% discount

  • Are there hotels you recommend near the venue?

    The best hotel for An die Musik is a 3 minute walk to the venue: Hotel Indigo. 

  • What is the nearest airport?

    BWI Airport is about a 30 minute drive from the venue, or you can take the Light Rail from BWI to the Center St/Howard St stop then walk south on N Howard St one block, take a left on Center St and go east for 5 blocks, then take right on Charles and go South for 3 blocks (about a 10 minute walk). 

Our Gallery

Stunning photos & videos from prior years' Charm City Django Jazz Festival.

The best kept secret in hot jazz.

Our Lineup

Meet the special guests in our 2023 festival line-up.

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Ultrafaux Ensemble

Friday 7pm
Website

Ultrafaux Ensemble crosses the boundaries between style and genre, performing original music inspired by Gypsy swing, be-bop, Balkan music, Bluegrass, swing, funk, blues, choro, and musette. The group has thrilled audiences at top music festivals and concert halls all over the world both as a trio and as a larger ensemble featuring top guest musicians from the jazz, bluegrass, folk, classical, and world music scenes.

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Adrien Chevalier Band

Friday 8:30PM
Website

Born in Provence, South of France, into a family of violinists, Adrien Chevalier began his musical education at the Avignon Classical Conservatory, where he studied for 12 years before moving to Paris: there he developed his passion for Gypsy jazz and Eastern European music. He created Pad Brapad, a musical ensemble specializing in Balkan folklore, with whom he performed all over Europe, participating in the most renowned Word Music festivals. Adrien Chevalier then settled down in the French capital and joined the Grüss Circus orchestra, while also studying at the CMDL jazz school with master violinist Didier Lockwood.

In 2011 he moved to New York City where he co-founded the Avalon Jazz Band. Adrien Chevalier continued his work as a film composer (Canal +, France 3…) and founded the Hot Club of New York with whom he performed at the New York Hot Jazz Festival in 2014. Adrien Chevalier often collaborates with renowned artists and tours regularly in Europe, South America and Asia.

In 2015, he created Aramis Entertainment, an agency specializing in authentic, acoustic music for private events, contributing to the New York trad and swing scene’s growth and prosperity.

Adrien is currently preparing his first solo album with compositions inspired by Gypsy Jazz, Swing and Eastern European folklore.

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Jason Anick

Saturday 12pm & 8:30pm
Website

Berklee College of Music Professor Jason Anick, has earned a reputation among string players as an imaginative improviser, versatile composer, and insightful educator. As a band-leader, Anick has launched a variety of musical projects over the years, including the Gypsy Jazz group Rhythm Future Quartet, an Americana-inspired Acoustic Trio, and a contemporary jazz ensemble with pianist Jason Yeager. His string of recordings (Sleepless, Tipping Point, United, Travels, Rhythm Future Quartet and Friends) has earned him praise from Downbeat Magazine as a "Rising Star in the world of jazz violin."

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Henry Acker

Saturday 1:30PM & 8:30pm
Website

Henry Acker is an eighteen-year-old powerhouse jazz guitarist who performs both in the style of Django Reinhardt as well as traditional jazz. A child prodigy who began playing at age 8 and performing professionally at age 9, his talent and abilities have developed into nothing short of astonishing. Henry has already shared the stage with jazz greats Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Julian Lage, Bireli Lagrene and Vic Juris as well as Gypsy Jazz legends Samson Schmitt, Mozes Rosenberg, Adrien Moignard and Joscho Stephane.

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Craig Bumgarner

Saturday 3pm
Website

Craig builds handmade Gypsy guitars, one at a time, in Drayden, Maryland. He's had the good fortune to study many vintage guitars from the 40s and 50s as well as modern guitars in style. From these he has forged his own models, each with distinctive characteristics.

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Gary Flowers

Saturday 3pm
Website

Luthier Gary Flowers is dedicated to producing jazz and flattop guitars of the highest quality available, achieving a level of craftsmanship that is among the finest in the industry. Flowers Guitars are hand carved to achieve an amazingly balanced and powerfully voiced instrument.

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Djangophonique

Saturday 7pm
Website

Djangophonique is a virtuosic, instrumentally driven quartet led by guitar player Andrew Brown. With respect for the tradition and a fearless creativity that bends the conventions of the style, Djangophonique is keeping the Hot Club revival alive and well.

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Sam Farthing Quintet

Sunday 3pm
Website

Samuel Farthing is a twenty-year-old jazz swing guitarist who started playing guitar at age ten and found Gypsy jazz at age thirteen. He is now a top young guitarist in the tradition of Jazz Manouche.

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Hot Club of Baltimore

Sunday 5pm
Website

Hot Club of Baltimore, led by acclaimed guitarist Michael Joseph Harris, features an all-star lineup and talented guest musicians from the community for a special finale to Charm City Django Jazz Fest. Accompanying Michael Harris will be Kris Belgica - guitar, Connor Holdridge - guitar, and Blake Meister - bass. The Hot Club of Baltimore performs inspired arrangements of the Django Reinhardt repertoire, French waltzes, and Trad Jazz.

Get In Touch 

If you have any questions, want to bring a Hot Jazz Festival to your area, or discuss collaboration options, contact founder and organizer Michael Joseph Harris here:

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