Dorado Schmitt & Sons

SFJAZZ presents “a premier acolyte of the brilliant guitarist Django Reinhardt” (Variety), the dazzling French guitarist and violinist Dorado Schmitt. No one has done more to ignite interest in the legacy of the jazz guitar pioneer than Dorado Schmitt. Born to Roma parents near the German border in Lorraine, he’s been the leading figure on the international scene for nearly three decades and represents the art form at its highest level. Schmitt is joined by his sons and fellow "Djangoloists" Samson and Amati Schmitt, who represent the future of the jazz manouche tradition. Tonight's lineup also features jazz piano legend Roger Kellaway. 

ABOUT DORADO SCHMITT & SONS

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.

“Clearly born to the style,”(The New York Times) no one has done more to ignite interest in the idiom than dazzling French guitarist and violinist Dorado Schmitt. Born to Roma parents near the German border in Lorraine, Schmitt was weaned on traditional Romani music and jazz and established the Dorado Trio in 1978, becoming a leading figure on the international jazz manouche scene by the mid-90s. Among his compositions are “Bossa Dorado” and “Natacha — both of which have become standards of the jazz manouche repertoire. He won his first Django Award at the 2001 Django Reinhardt Festival in Luttre-Liberchies, France, and continues to represent the art form at its highest level.

Schmitt’s return to the Miner stage is decidedly a family affair. For this special week the maestro is joined by his sons Amati and Samson Schmitt, young guitar greats who represent the future of the jazz manouche tradition, as well as jazz piano legend Roger Kellaway.