Article Contributed by Jazz Promo Services
Published on 2026-11-01
photo credit: rr jones
The Django Reinhardt NY Festival returns to New York City November 11–15, 2026, beginning a new chapter at Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center after 25 years at Birdland. The five-night celebration will feature the acclaimed Django Festival Allstars, joined by a different special guest each evening.
The Django Festival Allstars return with a new home this year at Dizzy's Club following a successful cross-country tour in August and a concert at the Detroit Festival that earned standing ovations. They'll be back in New York and are raring to go with special guests each night.
Led by guitarist Samson Schmitt, son of legendary guitarist Dorado Schmitt, the ensemble continues to celebrate the musical legacy of Django Reinhardt through dazzling guitar work, violin, accordion, bass, and the infectious swing that has made the group an international favorite.
The Django Festival Allstars feature Samson Schmitt on lead guitar, Ludovic Beier on accordion and accordina, Pierre Blanchard on violin, Antonio Licusati on bass, and Francko Mehrstein on rhythm guitar.
The festival welcomes a remarkable lineup of special guests, including Ute Lemper, Roberta Gambarini, Tatiana Eva-Marie, Edmar Castañeda, and Vana Gierig, each bringing a distinct musical voice to the celebration.
After 25 years at the great Birdland, the Allstars are starting a new chapter along with their newly released album Evolution on Motéma Music.
DownBeat magazine describes the ensemble as “Gypsy jazz for the 21st century.”
Pierre Giroux of All About Jazz awarded the group four stars, writing, “Luminous… reaffirming that Manouche jazz, when played with conviction and humility, remains one of the most vital in modern acoustic music.”
The Arts Fuse offered equally enthusiastic praise: “Surely the best gypsy jazz swing band in NY, Paris, or anywhere. Every note, every solo, and every ensemble passage sings with joie de vivre.”
Audiences can look forward to new music, ballads to break your heart, and foot-tapping swing, all performed with great virtuosity and style. As guitarist George Benson puts it: “Sensational!”
Following the New York residency, the Django Festival Allstars will continue touring with performances in Houston, San Francisco, and Beaverton, Oregon.
For more information about the ensemble, its new album Evolution, and upcoming performances, visit DjangoFestivalAllstars.com.
DJANGO REINHARDT NY FESTIVAL – SPECIAL GUESTS
November 11 – Tatiana Eva-Marie – Gypsy Jazz Vocalist
November 12 – Edmar Castañeda – Colombian Jazz Harpist
November 13 – Ute Lemper – Vocalist
November 14 – Roberta Gambarini – Jazz Vocalist
November 15 – Vana Gierig – Jazz Pianist
DJANGO FESTIVAL ALLSTARS – UPCOMING TOUR DATES
November 7 – Judson's Live – Orlando, FL
November 8 – Judson's Live – Orlando, FL
November 10 – Brevard Music Center – Brevard, NC
November 11–15 – Dizzy's Club – New York, NY
November 18–19 – Hobby Center for the Performing Arts – Houston, TX
November 20 – SFJAZZ – San Francisco, CA
November 21 – Patricia Reser Center for the Arts – Beaverton, OR
EVENT INFORMATION
Django Reinhardt NY Festival
November 11–15, 2026
Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Frederick P. Rose Hall
Broadway at 60th Street
New York, NY
Shows: 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM (Wednesday–Saturday)
Sunday: 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM
Official Tickets and Show Information
