Hudson Jazz Fest

The Hot Club of Detroit was formed in 2003. The ensemble won first place in the 2004 Detroit International Jazz Festival competition and multiple Detroit Music Awards. Their 2006 self-titled debut, while slightly more traditional than later releases, established their broad-minded approach to the Django resurgence.

Since that time, it's become increasingly evident that their inspiration comes as much from the spirit of Reinhardt's playing as by its much-copied sound. While they've maintained some recognizable elements - the absence of drums, the percussive "la pompe" rhythm guitar technique - the Motor City quintet apply those elements to a decidedly modern sound, refusing to be constrained by allegiance to some time-honored, purist ideal.

"To me," says rhythm guitarist Paul Brady, "Django Reinhardt was a jazz improviser like Coleman Hawkins or Lester Young or any of the other great improvisers of his time. We don't approach our music as a gypsy jazz band, but 100% as a jazz group."

Listen to some of their music at http://www.mackavenue.com/artists/detail/hot_club_of_detroit/

Tickets are $15 in advance and can be purchase in one of the following ways:

• Jazz I Students
• Jazz II Students
• Acme Fresh Market in Hudson
• Learned Owl Book Shop in Hudson
• Hudson High School Main Office