Django’s Monster Mash with Hot Club Mania
Hot Club Mania (Formally Gypsy Mania Hot club quartet)
Hot Club Mania celebrates the musical style of Django Reinhardt and Halloween. HCM performs a timeless tradition commonly known as jazz manouche, a blend of traditional Roma music and swing jazz. The ‘Hot Club’ jazz tradition brings back happy memories of the swing jazz era.
Glen Helgeson: Guitar
Gary Schulte: Violin
Steve Pikal: Upright Bass
Jay Epstein: Drums
Composing and performing for nearly three decades, Glen Helgeson has established himself jointly in both world music and in the field of music therapy. Glen has recorded eight CDs with combined sales of over 50,000 CDs. He is the guitarist and band leader for the groups Hot club Mania, Brilliant colors Jazz Trio and Axis Mundi World Music ensemble
Gary Schulte is a master improvisor and performance composer to whom Stephane Grappelli gave his most sincere blessing. A veteran of A Prairie Home Companion, he has gigged with some of the greatest artists of the Gypsy Jazz genre, including guitarist legend Dorado Schmitt. A performance graduate of Indiana University School of Music, Schulte studied with Paganini virtuoso Rugierro Ricci.
Steve Pikal is highly regarded as a first call bass player from the Minnesota Twin Cities area jazz scene. He has had the pleasure backing shows with legendary performers such as Cab Calloway, Bob Hope, and Margaret Whiting.
Jazz drummer Jay Epstein, has an extensive career as a performer, recording and touring artist. He’s been on 7 European tours with pianists Bill Carrothers & Giacomo Aula. Some of the notable artists he has performed with include the rock band Gypsy, Barney Kessel, Roseanna Vitro, Manfredo Fest, Sheila Jordan, Karrin Allyson, Kenny Werner, Howard Levy, Toots Thielemans, and more.
“Gypsy Mania, Central Park, Roseville. It was amazing to see this kind of Minnesota musical talent, so dedicated to the fun and energy of 1930s swing jazz, carry on the tradition with such enthusiasm and skill.” Al Don – Pick Six Minneapolis Star Tribune