BIO
Django Festival Allstars – Artist Biography
For over two decades, the Django Festival Allstars have embodied the spirit of Gypsy Swing — a joyful, high-octane style first ignited by guitar legend Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli in 1930s Paris. Born out of the Django Reinhardt NY Festival, the Allstars have evolved into one of today’s most electrifying ensembles, carrying the torch of this timeless sound while pushing it boldly into the 21st century.
Originally founded in 2002 under the leadership of the dazzling Manouche guitar master Dorado Schmitt, the group’s history mirrors the resilience and creativity of its members. After a change in leadership in 2018 and the loss of a bandmate in 2023, the Allstars emerged stronger than ever, forging deeper bonds and expanding their global touring presence. In 2025, they signed a multi-album deal with the GRAMMY®-winning Motéma Music label and a worldwide booking agency — setting the stage for their aptly titled 2026 release, Evolution.
On Evolution, the quintet delivers an all-original program of “Nouvelle Gypsy Jazz,” performed with breathtaking virtuosity and heartfelt emotion. The front line features Samson Schmitt (lead guitar), Ludovic Beier (accordion, accordina), and Pierre Blanchard (violin) — three virtuosos whose interplay dazzles on high-speed burners like Rire Avec Charlie, Casse Noisette, and Swing and Ready, and touches the soul on lyrical gems such as Lovely Wife, Nothing But Kind, and Around Toots. Anchored by Antonio Licusati (bass) and Francko “Locomotive” Mehrstein (rhythm guitar), their rhythm section swings so powerfully it evokes an invisible drum kit.
As Beier explains, “The Manouche backbone is always there, but our 21st-century experience is key as well. Evolution is where Django meets Miles, Charlie, and Herbie at the Allstars’ house party.”
The Allstars’ story began when festival founders Pat Philips and Ettore Stratta invited Dorado, Samson, and Beier to headline Birdland’s Django Reinhardt NY Festival in 2002. Their fiery performances inspired an annual celebration that continues to this day, uniting generations of musicians and fans. Over the years, the Allstars have collaborated with jazz greats including James Carter, Randy Brecker, Cyrille Aimée, Madeleine Peyroux, and Veronica Swift, who joins their 25th Anniversary tour in 2025.
Deeply rooted in the Manouche tradition yet open to modern influences, the Django Festival Allstars represent a living bridge between past and future. Their music celebrates freedom, family, and the boundless joy of swing — proving that Django’s legacy is not just history, but a vibrant and evolving art form.