Stephane Wrembel’s Django New Orleans
The Pocket130 West 46th Street, New York 10036
Stéphane Wrembel brings Django New Orleans to The Pocket for a nine-piece release show behind Django New Orleans II: Hors Série. Wrembel directs the group on guitar, joined by Roy Williams on guitar, David Langlois on percussion, Nick Driscoll on clarinet and tenor sax, Adrien Chevalie on violin, Joe Boga on trumpet, Steven Duffy on tuba, Scott Kettner on drums, and Sarah King on vocals. The set blends New Orleans brass traditions with Django Reinhardt’s Jazz Manouche, recasting classics while introducing two Wrembel originals. The new record also features Wrembel’s debut as a vocalist.
Django New Orleans is Wrembel’s specialty ensemble, a nine-piece group whose albums, according to WBGO, carry “a Big Easy feel.” Its musical director is renowned for original music heard in the Oscar Award-winning films Midnight in Paris and Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jason Olaine has praised the band’s “unique blend of down-home party vibes and high-end listening experiences,” saying Wrembel “seamlessly fuses Reinhardt’s music with classic New Orleans repertoire.” That meeting of brass-band color, string-led swing, percussion, reeds and voice is the through line for this release-night performance.
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.