Music•Barry Wahrhaftig, [War-hof-tig], is the lead guitarist & founder of the Hot Club of Philadelphia. He has studied with players like Stephane Wrembel, Fapy Lafertin & Howard Alden.
They are an acoustic ensemble, dedicated to playing 'Gypsy Jazz.' That's the term used to describe the music pioneered by the legendary original 'Hot Club of France Quintet,' which was led by guitarist Django Reinhardt and Violinist Stephane Grappelli. Django and Grappelli were attempting to do their own version of American 'Hot Jazz,' as played by stars like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. They used acoustic guitars, bass and violin, rather than horns and drums. Grappelli and Django added some French and Gypsy flavor and created a blend of music that is quite popular and accessible. The HCPhilly mixes the original style of the HCOF, along with their own modern influences.
The band performs as a trio, quartet, quintet, etc. The band features vocalists Phyllis Chapell (Sage Stream Roster Member) and Cecilia Ferneborg.
The group has performed for a wide range of venues, including; The Kimmel Center's PIFA Festival, the area's first 'Diner en Blanc', The World Café Live, Sellersville Theater, WHYY-NPR, Musikfest-Bethlehem, Pastorius Park Summer Festival, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, The Barnes Foundation & The Phila Museum of Art, to name a few. •Gypsy Jazz Guitar & Founder Hot Club of Philadelphia
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Gypsy Jazz Guitar & Founder Hot Club of Philadelphia
