Denis Chang Gypsy Jazz Quartet wtih Connor Stewart

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Thursday, February 12th, 2015
7:30 AM

Denis Chang Quartet

Valley music fans are in for a rare treat when internationally renowned Montreal Gypsy Jazz guitarist Denis Chang appears with New Orleans based BC sax standout Conn Stewart and a first call rhythm section at the Georgia Straight Jazz Society series.

Fascinated by the music of French Gypsy guitarist Django Rheinhardt, Denis Chang spent his formative years amongst the Gypsies of France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany, immersing himself in their culture, becoming one of the few "gadge" (non-Gypsy) to learn and sing in their language - Romanes, and learning to play in the style known as Gypsy Jazz.

This style has gained immense popularity in recent years, featured extensively in films such as Swing Kids, Chocolate, The Aviator, Sweet and Lowdown, Vicky Christina Barcelona, Midnight in Paris, and at annual festivals worldwide.

Now an internationally recognized ambassador of the music, Denis discovered Conn Stewart when both were playing at the 2014 Victoria Django Festival, and asked him to sit-in on clarinet for a performance.  This led to invitations to appear on saxophones with him at the 2014 Montreal Jazz Festival, record on a CD, and join him for concerts in Alberta, BC, and at this year's 4th annual Victoria Django Festival.

Denis has performed with a veritable who's who of musicians including guitar giant Les Paul at the Iridium in NY, legendary Gypsy Jazz artists The Rosenberg Trio, Joscho Stephan, Gonzalo Bergara, Paulus Schafer, and Tcha Limberger, and saxophonist James Carter, violinist Mark O'Connor, and guitarists Stephane Wrenbel and Frank Vignola.  He has performed across Canada, the US, Europe, Japan, the UK, and Taiwan and conducted extensive concert hall tours in Quebec, BC, and Alberta.

A highly sought after teacher whose students travel from as far as South Africa, the UK, and California, his instructional Gypsy Jazz DVD's are a critical international success with thousands sold, and have led to his online "DC Music School" featuring some of the world's best musicians in various styles.  It now counts over 5000 registered users from over 50 countries.

Of Denis Chang:

"He plays faster than his shadow. As Many know, that is also the case for many European Manouche  gypsies.... Denis, however, who is also equally at ease in Bebop and other jazz styles, is somewhat of a Django Cosmopolite.  As such, he has assimilated both yesterday and today's art forms."  - Jazz Podium, Germany

"The audience was mesmerized by the musical wizardry of Chang and his back-up musicians." - LD News, Canada

Of Conn Stewart:

"He's a genius for sure, and one of that very rare breed of musician who doesn't play music, he simply exudes it through his instrument as though it is a part of his body.... [the audience was] quite stunned by his brilliance... he deserved the standing ovation and call for encores."  - Malcolm Holt, President Georgia Straight Jazz Society

"I was at Newport in '56 and heard the Duke, Dizzy, Mingus, all those guys, and man, he's got it." - Jazz fan at 2014 West Coast Django