88.5 KPLU “NPR News and All That Jazz” presents its 20th annual Jazz Brunch Cruise on August 12 with a performance by KPLU favorites and masters of Gypsy swing, Pearl Django, aboard Argosy Cruises’ Royal Argosy.  The cruise will be hosted by KPLU’s Dick Stein.

Entering their 18th year of performing, Pearl Django continues to be one of America’s most respected and busiest Hot Club style groups. Though still strongly influenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, Pearl Django’s repertoire now includes many original compositions. Their music reaches out across the divides of taste to a wide variety of audiences. The band’s fervent followers include Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli fans, guitar enthusiasts (and guitarists!), lovers of string music, including bluegrass devotees, who relish nimble, clean, intricate picking, “world music” fans drawn to French and Gypsy accents, plus jazz buffs and aficionados of the new swing music. Transcending simple categorization, Pearl Django packs in enthusiastic audiences at dancehalls and nightclubs, at folk music festivals and jazz festivals alike.  Their 11th album, Eleven, was released in May 2012.

Pearl Django is Michael Gray, violin; Troy Chapman and Ryan Hoffman, Rick Leppanen, bass; and David Lange, accordion.

The Royal Argosy departs from Seattle’s Pier 56 at 10:30 a.m. and returns at 1 p.m.  More information and tickets will be available June 27 at www.kplu.org and at 1-800-677-5758 during business hours.  Tickets are $62.00 and on sale now.

Category:
Seattle Jazz