Waltz In The Shape Of A Tree

Van Django's 2nd CD recording offers up another smorgasbord of musical offerings, gypsy jazz standards, country pickin's, funky grooves, homage to pop music and tv culture, innovative arrangements and stunning original compositions all within the framework of the gypsy jazz made famous in the 1930's by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli! We hope you enjoy listening to this album as much as we enjoyed recording it! Van Django is a highly entertaining acoustic string ensemble made up of four of Canada's most talented and eclectic musicians. The music of Van Django is punchy, driving and rhythmically inventive, combining a wealth of musical influences while maintaining their roots in the gypsy jazz made famous by the 1930's Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Since the group's formation in 1998, they have toured extensively in Canada as well as international forays to the USA and Europe, with a trip to China slated for 2012. The group has had repeat performances at Djangofest Northwest (DFNW) where in they've shared a double bill concert with the John Jorgenson Quintet as well as opening for the legendary gypsy jazz guitarist Romane and his group. Their first CD Tiptoe Trip has been well received and played on many radio stations at home and abroad including; CBC, RDI, Espace Musique, NPR and Lyric FM in Ireland. Perhaps Nick Lehr, director of Djangofest Northwest, summed it up best describing Van Django when he said: 'In an increasingly crowded niche, Van Django is a standout act. With a clever mix of contemporary standards, classical ditties, rock homages and solid originals they effortlessly whip the audience into a joyful frenzy. Attending a Van Django concert is the most fun you can have sitting down with your clothes on.' - NICK LEHR - DJANGOFEST DIRECTOR - USA Van Django can deliver acoustic power chords with the lustrous tone of a classical string ensemble while staying fully stoked on the spirit of the Quintette of the Hot Club of France. - MICHAEL JUK, HOST, CBC WESTCOAST MUSIC - CANADA CAMERON WILSON violin Cameron currently resides in Vancouver and is a member of the classical crossover piano trio JOE TRIO, the HARD RUBBER ORCHESTRA and Francophone inspired trio PASTICHE. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by numerous symphony orchestras and ensembles across North America. He has collaborated with CBC storyteller Stuart McLean on A History of Canada and I Remember Wayne and has recently co-written a film noir opera called Supernatural Noir with playright Kico Gonzalez Risso. BUDGE SCHACHTE Guitar Budge has worked with a stellar cast of diverse artists including; play-write Thompson Highway, Tango Paradiso, Victoria Symphony, Windsor Symphony, Ache Brazil, Coco Trevisano, Jesse Zubot, Sal Ferreras, John Korsrud, Olam, Leora Cashe,Chor Leoni Mens Choir and many more...

He is featured on several film soundtracks as well as composing, performing and recording his first feature film soundtrack for the film, Love And Other Dilemmas.. FINN MANNICHE, Guitar & Cello Finn is a versatile and passionate musician with a Music degree from UBC and a penchant for playing anything and everything, whether on guitar or cello. He plays Swing and New Music, Bach to Bacharach, Surf and other worldly sounds. He can be heard playing live and on CD with: the Armadillo String Quartet, Ensemble Symposium, the Jazzmanian Devils, Soul Crib, the Paperboys, Denzel Sinclair, 54/40, Murray McLauglin, Mae Moore and Cam Wilson's varying orchestral extravanganzas. BRENT GUBBELS Acoustic Bass Brent has been a Vancouver based professional musician and teacher for nearly twenty years. In that time he's worked with; the Hard Rubber Orchestra, Gypsalero, Rumba Calzada, John Reischman, the Vince Mai Project, Jesse Zubot, Dal Richards, Lee Aaron and Dee Daniels. He has toured North America and Europe extensively. Brent can be heard on recordings by Oscar Lopez, Gypsalero, Juno nominees Susan Crowe and Compadres, Juno winner James Keelaghan, and others.