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“Playing” Django was formed in the Summer of 2007 by Gary Williams and Phil Oakley. Although at this stage their name was undecided and they went through many connotations including ‘Django’s little finger’ and ‘Pink Django’. Rehearsals often turned into impromptu performance’s in Moseley park and the pair were soon asked to start playing in the local Birmingham music scene. Their early performances were often influenced by a more Spanish feel as the pair tried to get to grips with the rigours of La pompe and the swing genre.
The violin was the next addition to the band and added the warmth of melody and tone that Grappelli was so famed for.The violin style gave direction to the swing and helped form the overall ‘voice’ of Playing Django. Swing with subtle classical undertones.
We are now recruiting for fiddle players please contact us via the website or come down to La Bastille if you are interested.
Their ranks swelled when Silas Wood offered his expertise on the double bass. Silas is a consummate, multi talented musician and plays and produces for many bands around the Midlands. Silas’s sound added to the backbone of the band and gave substance and warmth to the whole.
Abigail Seabrook enhanced the band’s sound further with her amazing vocal talent. It was at this stage the band started to get their true identity and their modern day interpretation of a classic bygone sound was born. Abi’s vocals added that clear distinct richness of tone to allow further exploration of the melody within the improvised solos and song refrains.
Richard Adey is the latest addition to the band. Richards musicality adds the verve and swing to the music that Django & Grapelli were so famed for and enhances the music for that truly authentic French sound.
Their name derives from Django’s habit of not turning up for concerts he was booked for. Often in this situation one of his ‘cousins’ or distant relation’s would sport the iconic pencil moustache and would imitate the maestro. Hence the phrase who’s “playing” django? was oft heard at gigs where Django had better things to be doing (gambling, fishing etc!)
“Playing” Django are available for all types of events/ concerts/ wedding / parties etc . Feel free to drop us a line at
info@playingdjango.com
More here …
Silas has himself a new all-singing-dancing-visual treat of a site, to be perused at your pleasure at the soundofsilas.com
“Playing” Django will be performing a free public gig at the MAC, in Cannon Hill Park as part of the Tuseday Tunes series of events. It’s a child friendly environment with food and music in the early evening sun. Should be a lot of fun.
We are doing two sets, one at 6pm, and then one at 7pm. We will be performing in the courtyard if the weather is good, or in the Bridges Cafe Bar if it’s not so good!
So, we have gathered together various media of our gig at the Birmingham Town Hall in September. We’ll start with a couple of photos by Carlton Douglas:
And then a couple of tunes, featuring Remi Harris on guitar:
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Les Feuilles Mortes
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Douce Ambience
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And then, finally to finish, pictures and music together:
“Playing” Django are most excited about performing at the Birmingham Town hall this sunday, 12th of september, at 6p.m. as part of Artsfest. Which is good news because that means it’s a free gig for all you who want to come and listen, and it also means that it’s worth the trip into town as there will be lots of amazing things going on all day.
For instance:
Lady Georgiana are playing the CBSO centre at 2 pm
The Boom Operators are playing the Victoria Square stage at 430 pm
The Heels are playing Chamberlin Square stage at 330pm
Lots to see there, and so much more.Hope to see you there.
Even Darker, more mysterious improvisation…. Well really, it’s just a study of the Phrygian mode, in a demented manner, hence the sub-title… Again, for mood, candlelight was necessary, so sorry about the video quality.. But let’s face it, no-one cares about my ugly mug, it’s the audio quality that matters, and that’s fine!
A Dark, candlelit Improvisation…. Watch out…
With all the weather we had, i figures it was necessary…
A long break ended by the snow & christmas. I wanted to do White Christmas, so i thought i should at least make time for one wafer thin improvisation!!!
"Playing" Django are a gypsy jazz swing group based in Birmingham. They delight and amaze audiences around the country with their interpretations of the classic sounds of swing from Django Reinhardt and Stephan Grappelli.
"Playing" Django are a gypsy jazz swing group based in Birmingham. They delight and amaze audiences around the country with their interpretations of the classic sounds of swing from Django Reinhardt and Stephan Grappelli.
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