Hot Club of Baltimore is an internationally acclaimed acoustic jazz ensemble specializing in the style known as “Le Jazz Hot,” an inspiring type of swing music created by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli in the 30’s powered by an all string band of guitars, bass fiddle, and violin. Vocalist Alexis Tantau adds a unique depth and dimension to the music, allowing the band to explore the full range of show tunes and French cabaret songs made popular by Edith Piaf, Charles Trenet, Eartha Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald, Henri Salvador and other legendary singers. Matt Andrews joins the band on violin, weaving elements of be-bop and gypsy folk into his own take on Grappelli’s legendary sound.

Matt Andrews:

Matt Andrews is a Baltimore-based hot jazz violinist. He began with classical violin at the age of 7, but changed course as a teenager when he first heard a recording of Stephane Grappelli playing with Django Reinhardt’s Hot Club du Quintette de France. In addition to the great jazz violinists – Stephane Grappelli, Joe Venuti, Svend Asmussen, Stuff Smith, Didier Lockwood – Matt is also influenced both by more modern jazz and by Balkan and traditional Roma Gypsy music.