Musicians | Hot Club of DC

Stephan, Guitar

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 20:13:25 -0400

Stephan is a true born and raised French guitar player, native of Amiens, Picardy. With a Belgian family on one side and a French on the other, it isn't a surprise to see him play Django's music. Ironically, it's only after he arrived in the US that he really started to play the style!
On top of leading the Hot Club of DC, Stephan is actively involved in developing a network of DC area players interested in the gypsy jazz genre.

Rick Netherton, Upright Bass

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 20:12:06 -0400

A talented and exciting musician, Rick provides the foundation we all build on.

He has been playing in the local music scene for many years and we are very pleased to have him. Along the way, he has appeared and recorded with many area bands including the Justin Trawick Group. He has also played in theater with Elden Street players "Side Show".

Rick's interest also encompass Russian folk music. He has played with the "Samovar" Folk Music Ensemble and is currently featured with the American Balalaika Symphony where he plays contrabass balalaika.

Besides being a great musician, Rick also teaches forensics at George Mason University.

Craig Bumgarner, Guitar

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 19:44:31 -0400

Craig started playing violin and guitar as a child. After playing rock-n-roll and blues through high school and college, "... I burned out on playing loud music in smokey bars. I wanted to play acoustic, but could not find a style that spoke to me."
Career and family intervened and he drifted away from playing until discovering Django Reinhardt ten years ago.

Motivated by Django and the gypsy jazz movement he inspired, Craig resumed playing and after five years in the woodshed, is now pleased to perform regularly with the Hot Club of DC.
Craig also constructs the occasional Selmer style guitar in his spare time

Musicians Friends and Guests

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 19:13:48 -0400

More than a Jazz Band, HC/DC is a real Hot Club of talented musicians who share the same passion for the music of Django. We often invite Musician Friends and Guests to perform with us in the spirit of a true Hot Jazz Club.

This means HC/DC performances are often different and varied, so come back often !!

Ben Brooks, Violin

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 19:10:23 -0400

Ben is a veteran of the Portland, Oregon, music scene. He has played just about every style:
Avant-garde rock with Souseloaf, Bluegrass with Redwood Highway and The Josh Cole Band, Country with Hank Plank and the 2x4s, Folk music with The Wags, Jazz with Trash Can Joe and... Gypsy swing with The Djangophiles.

Ben's long-time love for gypsy jazz has led him to focus on gypsy swing. His long-term goals with this style include starting a program of string jazz in the Montgomery County Public School system.