Stephane Wrembel’s Django New Orleans
The Pocket130 West 46th Street, New York 10036
Stephane Wrembel brings Django New Orleans to The Pocket for a release-night set behind Django New Orleans II: Hors Série. Wrembel directs the ensemble from guitar, joined by guitar, percussion, clarinet and tenor saxophone, violin, trumpet, tuba, drums, and vocals. The group’s premise joins New Orleans brass traditions to the fiery language of Django Reinhardt’s “Jazz Manouche,” recasting timeless classics with new energy. The new record also includes two Wrembel originals and marks his debut as a vocalist, adding another voice to the ensemble’s broad instrumental palette.
Wrembel is an acclaimed guitarist and composer whose original music appears in the Oscar Award-winning films Midnight in Paris and Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Django New Orleans places his writing and guitar at the meeting point of two specific traditions: the brass-led sound associated with New Orleans and the repertoire and rhythmic drive of Reinhardt’s Jazz Manouche. For this release performance, that concept is carried by a larger specialty ensemble rather than a guitar-only setting, with clarinet, tenor saxophone, violin, trumpet, tuba, percussion, drums, guitars, and vocals all part of the billed group. The program centers the new album while bringing its blend of classics and Wrembel compositions to the stage.
The Pocket offers a close-up encounter with world-class jazz musicians in a small, focused setting where every note feels immediate and unfiltered. The room is designed to bring listeners near the performers, creating a direct connection that makes the music feel personal and vivid. Seating is limited and arranged to emphasize attentive listening rather than casual socializing, with a bar available to complement the experience. Shows are ticketed, encouraging an audience that is there to fully engage with the performance. The venue’s location in Manhattan places it within easy reach of the city’s vibrant cultural pulse, making it a perfect spot for an evening dedicated to serious jazz appreciation without distractions.