Django Festival Allstars + Veronica Swift

Next up, on Wednesday, November 19, is a return visit by the Django Festival Allstars, who will be joined by the remarkable jazz vocalist Veronica Swift. This masterful French gypsy jazz quintet returns for its first local performance since debuting on the Athenaeum series in 2016. Step into a night that feels lifted from a Parisian café and reimagined for the 21st century. The Django Festival Allstars deliver a musical experience bursting with spirit, swing, and soul in what The Wall Street Journal calls “the best jazz show in town.”

Led by guitarist Samson Schmitt, son of gypsy jazz legend Dorado Schmitt, this all-acoustic ensemble of international virtuosos radiates joy and passion through blazing guitar riffs, soaring violin, dazzling accordion, and deep, grooving bass. They celebrate the music of legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt who teamed with famed jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli in the 1930s and 40s to create the quintet of the Hot Club de France, which went on to become one of the most important jazz partnerships in history.

Vocalist Veronica Swift made her local debut on the Athenaeum series in 2019 with pianist Benny Green. She is among the upper echelon of 21st century jazz singers because of her virtuosic brilliance, interpretive ingenuity, bracing songwriting, and keen arrangements. The Wall Street Journal wrote, “She has a miraculous voice, musical ability and technique, as well as an innate gift for entertaining a crowd.”

The concert will be in person at the Scripps Research Auditorium (10620 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, north of Genesee Avenue in Torrey Pines Mesa). There are no physical tickets for these events. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served.