STEPHANE WREMBEL
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Stéphane Wrembel brings his near-weekly Sunday engagement to Barbès for a set centered on the music of Django Reinhardt. The listing frames him as an interpreter who can stay with Reinhardt’s arrangements or take them somewhere new, treating the guitarist and composer as more than a shorthand for swing virtuosity. Alongside that repertoire, Wrembel’s weekly appearances make room for his own compositions, whose influences are said to reach from Reinhardt to Pink Floyd, Ravel and Middle Eastern music.
Wrembel is described by Barbès as perhaps North America’s foremost interpreter of Django Reinhardt’s music. His work extends beyond the bandstand: he wrote the theme for Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris and scored Allen’s last film, and he performed live at the 2012 Academy Awards. He has also headlined Carnegie Hall and Lyon Opera House. Rolling Stone called him “a revelation,” while the venue hears his playing under the broad Gypsy Swing umbrella, with a composer’s interest in drawing distinct musical reference points into the tradition.
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.