Hot Club of Sarasota - "Reputably the most swinging, versatile and refined Gypsy Jazz ensemble in the South"... (Malcolm Chrupcala, 2016)
Hot Club of SRQ - We play Gypsy Jazz that is deeply rooted in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. This music simply swings and is full of beauty and romance! We emulate the style of what the French call "Jazz Manouche" and "Le Jazz Hot" in the style of Sinti virtuosos and the "Quintette du Hot Club de France" circa 1934-1948.
The Hot Club of SRQ Quartet's sound can best be described as a 21st century hybrid of the famous “Quintette du Hot Club de France." The likeness of these two ensembles is the violin and guitar create the fire and magic that is so captivating. Similar to the relationship of violinist Stephane Grappelli and guitarist Django Reinhardt of the "QDHCDF," Keven Aland has cultivated special musical connections with each guitarist in the Hot Club of SRQ.
Another likeness is the infectious groove known as "La Pompe" which literally means "the pump" and is an unmistakable hard swinging rhythmical characteristic of this music. This style of swing jazz is more accessible to a broader audience and can get anyone tapping their toes!
While we pay homage to the creators and masters of this sound, we have forged on developing our own unique sound. Aside from incorporating a wide range of vocal styling, we have written and perform a variety of Latin, Afro Cuban, and South American songs. We have even coined a new genre called "Rumba Gitana" with four such original compositions on our 2016 project, "Mosaic."
Hot Club of SRQ ensemble is a cooperation of classically trained virtuosos and jazz masters that have worked together professionally for over 10 years. We were originally drawn to each other because of a mutual passion and admiration for "Hot Club" style music and Gypsy Jazz. All of our performers are proficient in classical as well as all jazz genres (which is not common). We also draw musical inspiration from around the globe and have a passion for performing Parisian Jazz, Rumba Flamenco, Be Bop, Bossanova, Samba, Tango, Afro Cuban, and the American songbook.
We pride ourselves in working together as a team to assure that every client's needs are understood, recognized, and exceeded during the performance. We have the experience and artistry to help you create the perfect ambiance for your wedding, private party, fundraiser, corporate, and fashion event. We are also proud supporters of marriage equality.
As part of our event planning service, we have the ability to arrange and create compositions that can be previewed by our clients.
Hot Club of SRQ has a state of the art recording studio that can produce a professional quality keepsake in the form of an audio CD with your own images, logo, or photo! This makes for an impressive and thoughtful wedding gift.
Check out our Instagram at www.instagram.com/hotclubsrq
Hot Club of SRQ - We play Gypsy Jazz that is deeply rooted in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. This music simply swings and is full of beauty and romance! We emulate the style of what the French call "Jazz Manouche" and "Le Jazz Hot" in the style of Sinti virtuosos and the "Quintette du Hot Club de France" circa 1934-1948.
The Hot Club of SRQ Quartet's sound can best be described as a 21st century hybrid of the famous “Quintette du Hot Club de France." The likeness of these two ensembles is the violin and guitar create the fire and magic that is so captivating. Similar to the relationship of violinist Stephane Grappelli and guitarist Django Reinhardt of the "QDHCDF," Keven Aland has cultivated special musical connections with each guitarist in the Hot Club of SRQ.
Another likeness is the infectious groove known as "La Pompe" which literally means "the pump" and is an unmistakable hard swinging rhythmical characteristic of this music. This style of swing jazz is more accessible to a broader audience and can get anyone tapping their toes!
While we pay homage to the creators and masters of this sound, we have forged on developing our own unique sound. Aside from incorporating a wide range of vocal styling, we have written and perform a variety of Latin, Afro Cuban, and South American songs. We have even coined a new genre called "Rumba Gitana" with four such original compositions on our 2016 project, "Mosaic."
Hot Club of SRQ ensemble is a cooperation of classically trained virtuosos and jazz masters that have worked together professionally for over 10 years. We were originally drawn to each other because of a mutual passion and admiration for "Hot Club" style music and Gypsy Jazz. All of our performers are proficient in classical as well as all jazz genres (which is not common). We also draw musical inspiration from around the globe and have a passion for performing Parisian Jazz, Rumba Flamenco, Be Bop, Bossanova, Samba, Tango, Afro Cuban, and the American songbook.
We pride ourselves in working together as a team to assure that every client's needs are understood, recognized, and exceeded during the performance. We have the experience and artistry to help you create the perfect ambiance for your wedding, private party, fundraiser, corporate, and fashion event. We are also proud supporters of marriage equality.
As part of our event planning service, we have the ability to arrange and create compositions that can be previewed by our clients.
Hot Club of SRQ has a state of the art recording studio that can produce a professional quality keepsake in the form of an audio CD with your own images, logo, or photo! This makes for an impressive and thoughtful wedding gift.
Check out our Instagram at www.instagram.com/hotclubsrq
Keven Aland, a prodigy of Miltiades Siadimas, was born in Springfield MA and began studying violin at age 7. Keven gave his solo debut with the Venice Symphony at age 14 performing Monti's Ćzardas. During High School, Keven received highest honors in All-State Orchestra and recognition from Governor Martinez as recipient of the Southern Bell Fellowship two years in a row. A graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, Keven had a Fellowship with the London Symphony Orchestra and has played with the South Florida Orchestra, the Venice Symphony, the Sarasota Chamber Orchestra, the Transylvania Symphony Orchestra, and the Boulder Philharmonic. After earning a performance degree from C.U. Boulder, Keven discovered his real passion was jazz. Keven has studied with Sandro Roy, Victor Prieto, John Serry, Christiaan Van Hemert and has attended festival workshops at Django Fest NW and Django in June working with Florin Niculescu, Tim Kliphuis, Jason Anick and Fiona Monbet. Keven has performed with Malcolm Chrupcala, Kenny Drew Jr., Michael Royal, Matt Bokulic, David Alsina, Nestor Torres, Pepe Romero, Regis Moreira, Jeremy Powell and many other great artists. Keven Aland is a co-founder of the Lotus Fire, founder of Sampa Jazz and the Hot Club of SRQ. He continues to perform with the Hot Club of SRQ, Impromptu Jazz, Hot Sun Quartet and the Pleiades Ensemble.
Jon is a very talented performer and extremely gifted accompanist. Jon studied with Rex Willis while attending Florida College. A native of Sarasota, Florida, he performed with many rumba flamenco/gypsy swing/tango bands including Los Listos, Los Rumberos, Cabal, and Douce Ambiance and most notably a member of The Lotus Fire and The Willie Royal Quartet. Jon also teaches at Troll Music in Venice, FL.
Nikola Baltic began studying classical guitar at age 9 and began playing professionally at age 12. He was accepted to Eastern Michigan University at age 17 for classical guitar performance and later accepted to the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. Following a Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering (Lawerance Tech. University) he was later accepted to the Manhattan School of Music in New York for further studies in the classical genre. Nikola has studied with guitarist Manuel Barreco, and David Russell to name a couple. Nikola has been reviewed in Guitar Player Magazine and is founder of the Hot Sun Quartet. A World Jazz ensemble based in Florida.Nikola Baltic (Guitar)
Larry Camp is Tampa Bay's quintessential jazz guitarist. He has been hailed by Musician Magazine as "one of the top ten unknown jazz guitarists in the U.S.". He has played at the Kenedy Center for the President, the Smithsonian Jazz Series, as well as Jazz festivals in Europe, Clearwater, and Sarasota FL. Larry has performed with Gary Bartz, Dennis Chambers, Marcus Belgrave, Billy Hart, Reggie Johnson and Dizzy Gillespie. Larry is also endorsed by Benedetto Guitars and Amps.
A native of Sarasota, Florida was also born into a musical family discovered his a passion for Django Reinhardt's Manouche style of guitar playing as a young teen and has spent countless hours transcribing and memorizing solos of the greatest gypsy jazz guitarists in the world. His biggest influence is Birelli Lagrene and has successfully mastered many of the masters musical vocabulary. Gustav has played all over the country and has been invited to perform with Stephane Wrembel, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola and many other top names in Gypsy Jazz. Gustav Viehmeyer is the newest member of the Hot Club of SRQ.
His experience runs from sideman to soloist; from jazz festivals to recording studios; from Bourbon Street nightclubs to symphony halls; from theme parks to cruise ships. As a result of his extensive travel with trumpeter Al Hirt, and with New Orleans' Dukes of Dixieland, Jim has performed with many of the country's symphony orchestras. He has spent many years on the road with various jazz bands playing "one-nighters", including a lengthy performance/educational tour of Alaska, funded in part by the NEA. Jim has had performing residencies at both the 1982, and 1990 Worlds' Fairs -- in Knoxville, TN, and Osaka, Japan, respectively -- and has been regularly featured at jazz festivals all over the U.S. and France. He's an active soloist and clinician, and has been a Yamaha performing artist since 1982.
A native of Key West,Florida and currently living in St. Petersburg, Rodney Rojas was born into a musical family. His father and older brother also professional saxophonists.
He began his performing professionally as a teenager and was brought up through the ranks with some of Tampa's Bay areas finest jazz musicians such as Kenny Drew Jr., Ray Biscoglia, Mark Fox, Linda Nash, Nate Najar, James Suggs and many others. In addition to playing bass, Glenn is a masterful art framer and has worked over 10 years framing Salvador Dali's work in St. Petersburg.
He began playing music at age 12, starting with piano lessons. He switched to the bass to begin playing professionally. After a stint in the U.S. Navy, J.P. returned to Sarasota and resumed his music career by forming "The Hurricanes" (an R&B outfit). He has played the blues with "Rock Bottom", "Dan Electro", "Roy Bookbinder" and Diamond Teeth Mary; jazz with Mike Markarverich, Leon Meriam, Sushi Bros. and The West Coast Big Band; reggae with the Instagators and the Strangeways. Most recognize him as the Rhythm anchor of "Jennifer and the Venturas".
A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and a veteran of big stage and radio with hundreds of hours for the Riverwalk Jazz public radio series with guests Benny Carter, Clark Terry, Bob Wilber, Dick Hyman, Kenny Davern, Milt Hinton, Nicholas Payton, "Sweets" Edison, Harry Allen, Dan Barrett, Joe Williams, Rebecca Kilgore, Bob Barnard, Bria Skonberg, Jon-Erik Kellso, Vince Giordano, Bucky and John Pizzarelli, Stephanie Nakasian, and many others.
St. Petersburg College, The Palladium, Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, Asolo Theater, The Met, Powel Crowsley Estate, Ted Talks Conference, Ringling Museum, USF, Stella Artois, Suncoast Porsche, Audi, Volvo, SRQ Magazine, Sotheby's International, Ritz Carlton, Marriot, Boca Grande Community Center, Hyatt, Melia Resorts International, Tampa-Sarasota-South County Jazz Club's, Venice-Sarasota-St. Petersburg, and Tampa Bay Yacht Clubs, Ringling School of Art and Design, Terra Nichol Academy, Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, The R.N.C and D.N.C., Longboat Key Club, Salvador Dali Museum, and the Manuel Artime Theater Miami
