Since 2003, Northampton has hosted an event that is, by the standards of the musical subculture involved, major. It’s become major outside that world, too. Andrew Lawrence, who heads up Community Guitar, started Django in June back in ‘03, when a concert by the Robin Nolan Trio expanded to include workshops for aspiring Gypsy jazz guitarists.
Now the events sprawl over an entire week, and include films, several performances, and a music camp for instrumentalists learning the complex ways of this upbeat, unusual style of old-school swing. At Smith College, campers invade dorms and work with some of the best performers in the world to hone their chops. The exuberant, impromptu music runs far into the nights.
This year’s installment, number 10, boasts a massive number of participants plus truly world-class musicians playing for the public Friday and Saturday. On Friday, Adrien Moignard and Gonzalo Bergara, both dazzling guitar talents, team up for a show. Moignard is perhaps the brightest star in the constellation of young French practitioners of the style. Saturday brings Belgian violinist/guitarist Tcha Limberger (pictured), a musical adventurer of the highest order. For part of the evening, he teams up with Englishman Robin Nolan, a longstanding pillar of the Gypsy jazz community. Either night, or both, you just can’t miss.•
Adrien Moignard and Gonzalo Bergara: June 21, 7:30 p.m., $24/advance, $28/door; Tcha Limberger, Robin Nolan and other guests: June 22, 7:30 p.m., $24/advance, $28/door, Academy of Music Theater, 274 Main St., Northampton, (413) 584-9032, www.djangoinjune.com.
