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Pearl
Django was formed in 1994 by Neil Andersson, Dudley Hill and David "Pope"
Firman; however, the roots of the band go back farther. Neil (formerly
of the Wailers) and Dudley had been playing blues and jazz as a duo
together for close to four years before Pope joined and completed the
early incarnation of Pearl Django. In 1995 Luthier and guitarist Michael
Dunn arranged for Pearl Django to go up to Vancouver for a performance
and workshop. While there the trio met Shelley
D. Park, a former lutherie student of Dunn and rhythm guitarist
with Michael's Hot Club of Mars. Shortly thereafter,
she became a member of Pearl Django and her steady, pulsating rhythm
guitar combined with Pope's bass completed the band's well rounded and
highly rhythmic ensemble.
In 1995 Pearl Django
recorded their debut album Le Jazz Hot. In June 1996 Neil, Dudley
and Shelley headed over to famed "Django Reinhardt Festival" in Samois-Sur-Seine,
the town where Django spent the last part of his life. The festival
acts as a meeting place for Reinhardt fans the world over and bringing
your instrument is no lighthearted affair! Some of the best Gypsy players
in the world can be seen there and the level of musicianship is frighteningly
high. While not a part of the festival proper, Neil, Dudley and Shelley
hit some of the many jam sessions around town and were well received
by many of the fans and players of Gypsy Jazz. With interviews and articles
in Just Jazz
Guitar and Vintage
Guitar magazines, word began to spread.
 In
1996 Pearl Django released the follow up to Le Jazz Hot. With
the addition of the lush and melodic playing of Michael Gray on violin,
New
Metropolitan Swing received glowing reviews from the press and
strong air play on KPLU - 88.5 FM, the Pacific Northwest's all jazz
radio station. Just
Jazz Guitar's Andy MacKenzie wrote of New
Metropolitan Swing, "This is Pearl Django's best yet and should
reinforce their position of not just one of America's best 'post Django'
bands, but one of the worlds best!" Also, in August of 1996 violinist,
Michael Gray joined the band bringing a variety of musical influences
with him. Michael is both a fan and perennial student of Stephane Grappelli's
music.
In July of 1998,
Pope left the group to move to Kansas City. Bassist Rick Leppanen took
his place, bringing a solid sense of swing and a strong jazz background.
January 1999 brought the release of Mystery
Pacific, and with that CD Pearl Django solidified it's reputation
as one of the most versatile and rhythmically compelling acoustic groups
playing today.
Early in 1999, Pearl
Django began recording a tribute to Stephane Grappelli, a project produced
by Michael Gray. The CD Souvenirs
was released in May 1999 and included two tracks on which Michael was
joined by the piano trio, New Stories, and another track with guitarist
Paul Sawyer and percussionist Will Dowd. In August of 1999, Pearl Django
Incorporated it's own record label, Modern Hot Records, and immediately
signed with City
Hall Records for national distribution.
 Pearl
Django's fifth CD, Avalon, was recorded during the summer of
2000 and released on Oct. 1, 2000 to rave reviews. The band followed
up with national radio promotion in January and February 2001 and achieved
Gavin Jazz chart's top forty status for seven weeks. Also, on March
29 & 30, National Public Radio recorded an interview and performance
of Pearl Django for airing on All Things Considered on May 16, 2001.
Pearl Django released
their 6th CD, Under Paris Skies, in May of 2002. The CD booklet was
designed by 'Pope' Firman, PD's first bassist who is now a graphic designer
in Kansas City. The CD also introduces Pearl Django's new rhythm guitarist,
Greg Ruby. Pearl Django is featured in this year's concerts at the "Festival
Django Reinhardt" in Samois-sur-seine, and the Nantes, France festival
"Les Rendez-Vous de l'Erdre."
October 2003 brought the release of two CDs on Modern Hot Records. Guitarist Neil Andersson released his first solo endeavor, titled C'est si bon. This CD includes Rick Leppanen on bass, Chris Monroe on drums and features Susan Pascal on vibes and Mike Jaap on piano. Pearl Django released Swing 48, their seventh CD. This is the first Pearl Django CD to contain at least one composition by each band member.
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