January 28, 2008

John Jorgenson Quintet to bring gypsy jazz to Loeb Playhouse

John Jorgenson
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The performance is presented by Purdue Convocations as part of its Frets on Fire series. Convocations also will present a pre-show discussion with John Jorgenson, who will illuminate the origins of gypsy jazz and his group's passion for performing it, at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in the Stewart Center Gallery.

"The John Jorgenson Quintet invokes the music of famous guitarist Django Reinhardt, founder of Le Hot Club de France, with sizzling fretwork and searing clarinet on classic standards and stylish original compositions," said Todd Wetzel, director of Purdue Convocations. "Reinhardt, who grew up in a gypsy camp near Paris in the 1920s, was noted for combining a dark, chromatic gypsy flavor with the swing music of the period. With swinging rhythm guitar, bass, five-string viola, mandolin and percussion, Jorgenson and his ensemble capture the spirit of the time and give it an urgency that is equally romantic and ecstatic."

Jorgenson, who spent years touring as the lead guitarist for Elton John and as a member of both the Hellecasters and the Desert Rose Band, has recorded and performed with Sting, Bonnie Raitt and Benny Goodman. Still, gypsy jazz has always been the music closest to his heart, he said.

Known as one of the pioneers of the American gypsy jazz movement, Jorgenson has performed as a solo artist as well as collaborated with other musicians all over the world. His performances feature his guitar work as well as featuring him as a clarinet player and vocalist. His articles and lessons on gypsy jazz have appeared in prominent guitar magazines, and he has given master classes around the country. Jorgenson's 2004 CD, "Franco-American Swing," a collection of original compositions and gypsy jazz classics, features performances by the Nashville Chamber Orchestra.

Because of his international reputation as a gypsy jazz player, Jorgenson was twice asked to recreate Django Reihnardt's music for feature films, "Gattaca" (1997) and "Head in the Clouds" (2005), which stars Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz and features Jorgenson on camera as Reinhardt.

Tickets are available at the Elliott Hall and Stewart Center box offices at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets are $25 for adults and $16 for children 18 years and younger, Purdue students and Ivy Tech Lafayette students.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Kerry Schutt Nason, Purdue Convocations director of marketing, (765) 494-5045, knason@purdue.edu

Todd Wetzel, (765) 494-9712, tewetzel@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Publication-quality photos of John Jorgenson are available at https://www.purdue.edu/convos/jorgensonimages.shtml

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