NOV 28-30 | THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
Nov 30, 2025
Miner Auditorium
Pioneering Romani jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt lamented that he might be neglected by history, but today the ebulliently swinging “jazz manouche” sound he created with French violinist Stéphane Grappelli is more pervasive than ever. For this very special night the leading purveyors of the style, the Django Festival Allstars, return to the Miner stage with the sublime vocalist Veronica Swift for a magical evening of hot jazz.
Featuring the guitar-playing of Samson Schmitt, scion of the first family of jazz manouche, the Django Festival Allstars also includes accordionist Ludovic Beier who gained fame as part of the original band led by family patriarch Dorado Schmitt. The loose assemblage of masters in the Roma jazz style are regular performers at the annual Django Reinhart Festival in Samois-sur-Seine, France and New York’s celebration at Birdland, which celebrates 25 years of music.
A finalist in the 2015 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocal Competition, Veronica Swift made her recording debut at age 9 with saxophonist Richie Cole and has followed her muse ever since, making her debut at Jazz at Lincoln Center at age 11. Now 30, she’s performed with Chris Botti, Wynton Marsalis, and Benny Green, and has released six albums including her latest, a self-tilted 2023 session for Mack Avenue.
For this very special night, the Django Festival Allstars — the leading purveyors of the jazz manouche style — return to the Miner stage with a very special guest, the sublime vocalist Veronica Swift.
The high point of the entire Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl was the Django Festival Allstars.
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The high point of the entire Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl was the Django Festival Allstars.
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Personnel
Samson Schmitt lead guitar
Ludovic Beier accordion
Pierre Blanchard violin
Francko Mehrstein rhythm guitar
Antonio Licusati bass
SPECIAL GUEST
Veronica Swift vocals
A jazz lioness with a pure tone, a knowing sense of repertoire, and sure swing style.
jazztimes on veronica swift
Personnel
Samson Schmitt lead guitar
Ludovic Beier accordion
Pierre Blanchard violin
Francko Mehrstein rhythm guitar
Antonio Licusati bass
SPECIAL GUEST
Veronica Swift vocals
A jazz lioness with a pure tone, a knowing sense of repertoire, and sure swing style.
jazztimes on veronica swift
Watch & Listen
Django Festival All-Stars
What is This Thing Called Love
Veronica Swift
You're the Dangerous Type
Django Festival All-Stars
What is This Thing Called Love
Veronica Swift
You're the Dangerous Type