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If you could only use the working fingers on Django’s hands to count the number of players that are world-renowned and absolute ambassadors for Gypsy Jazz, Stochelo Rosenberg would easily make the count.
Stochelo was born in a Dutch Sinti Gypsy camp and started playing guitar at the rather late age of 10. His teachers were his father, his uncle—the great Wasso Grunholz—and the records of Django Reinhardt. When he was twelve years old, he joined his cousin Nous'che Rosenberg on rhythm-guitar, and Rino van Hooydonk on bass-guitar, and won first prize in a children's TV-contest. While several record companies were interested in the young group, Stochelo’s parents wanted him to grow up outside the world of the spotlight. He kept playing throughout these years with Nous'che and his brother Nonnie on double-bass in churches and Gypsy-camps throughout Europe.
Over the years Stochelo has developed from a talented but shy Gypsy kid into a world-class artist and composer. He is known throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas as one of the most popular and in-demand Gypsy guitarists in the world.
Stochelo spans both worlds of contemporary and traditional Gypsy Jazz. He has played everything from Gypsy bossas, rhumbas and even reggae, yet still keeps true to his first love – the music of Django Reinhardt.
This will be Stochelo’s second year at Djangofest Northwest and he will share the stage Friday night with Canadian guitarist Denis Chang and bassist Beau Sample. On Sunday, he will be a part of the Grappelli Jelly All-Star Djam. Be there, as you won’t want to miss this grand master of Manouche music as he brings his hands once again to the Djangofest stage.
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