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 traditional and contemporary Gypsy Jazz aka "Manouche" Jazz, we perform Latin Jazz and music from around the world.
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.
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 traditional and contemporary Gypsy Jazz aka "Manouche" Jazz, we perform Latin Jazz and music from around the world.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
