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Great Guitars from the Reinhardt Project Play the Sidmouth Folk Week- UK! - 8/25/2005 12:45:37 PM
The mesmerising musical talents of Germany's gypsy jazz group, The Reinhardt Project, kicked off the afternoon concerts at The Ham Marquee on Monday.
The Reinhardt Project is made up of brothers Lulo and Mike Reinhardt - great nephews of the famous Django Reinhardt - and cousin Sascha, along with Australian violinist Daniel Weltlinger. The outstanding guitar virtuosos flew in from Koblenz especially for the one-off concert. Something of a coup for Sidmouth and I, for one, certainly hope to hear more of them at future festival weeks.
Taught to play guitar at the age of five by his father Bawo, Lulo was playing in a sextet by the age of 12. He is described as a spontaneous and spirited musician and his different styles come from a musical voyage to find flamenco roots in Spain, Latin jazz from South America, combined with his own artistic stamp and gypsy influences.
There was a palpable frisson between him and Mike throughout the performance, their timing immaculate with improvised pieces. Even Sascha seemed a little surprised when Lulo grabbed his bass guitar, handing him his own, for one number.
The Gitane guitars had a distinctive sound, beautifully mellow, yet twangy with it, a great mix that went well with the rich sounds that emanated from Daniel's electric violin.
There was definitely a touch of Stephane Grapelli in his playing; a feeling reinforced when later I read that the great violinist had accompanied Django.
Their final piece, Sweet Georgia Brown, brought the audience to their feet, and they kept cheering until the group returned for an encore. Standing was something of a relief as the chairs in the marquee leave those of us with bad backs aching to move about they are so uncomfortable.
But, before the stiffness set in, Monday's other performers, flautist Philippe Barnes - a member of ThingumaJig - and piano player Tom Phelan, joined forces and talents to produce some innovative and original Celtic jigs and reels fresh from a Madrid recording studio.
Philippe has total control over his Boehm system flute, and at 25 is rightly making a name for himself as performer, composer and session artist. His breathy tonguing during fast pieces kept the music fluid and a delight to listen to, whether a lilting Irish jig or a jazzy slide.
He and Tom make a formidable duo, complementing each other's skills while adding a humorous banter to the proceedings.
When a dog outside began barking, Philippe remarked it was the high pitch of the flute. "It makes dogs and the elderly go crazy," he joked.
Some say the atmosphere of the Arena has been lost by going under cover. Having been saved from a deluge part way through Monday's show, I was glad to be under canvas.
A great beginning to what has turned out to be a great week of music and entertainment that will hopefully ensure that Sidmouth Folk Week will continue for many years to come.
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