The historic Newtown Theatre’s monthly “Friday Night Jazz” series will welcome the Hot Club of Philadelphia at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12.
Formed in 2001, the Hot Club of Philadelphia plays music often referred to as gypsy jazz, which is based on the recordings of Belgian-born gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and French violinist Stéphane Grappelli.
In the early 20th century, Reinhardt and Grappelli formed the “Hot Club of France Quintet” and were doing their own version of American “hot jazz,” as played by stars like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. But instead of horns and drums, Reinhardt and Grappelli used acoustic guitars, bass and violin. The Hot Club of Philadelphia mixes the original style of the Hot Club of France with their own modern influences.
The Hot Club of Philadelphia has performed for a wide range of venues, including The Kimmel Center’s PIFA Festival, the area’s first ‘Diner en Blanc,’ The World Café Live, Sellersville Theater, WHYY, Musikfest-Bethlehem, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, The Barnes Foundation and The Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Tickets are available at TheNewtownTheatre.com for $25 per person or $20 for theater members. Any remaining tickets will be sold for $35 at the door on the night of the show (if available). All seating is general admission.
Beer, wine, and canned cocktails will be available for purchase at the theater before the show and during intermission. The theater is located at 120 N. State St., Newtown Borough.
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