CLUB FOX welcomes the HOT CLUB ALL STARS SWING DANCE – Dancers are welcome!
The Hot Club All Stars are a manouche swing supergroup comprised of both veterans and rising stars of the “gypsy jazz” idiom. Band leader Paul Mehling was one of the first players in America to faithfully perform and record the music of the great Django Reinhardt. Moreover, through his catchy and authentic original compositions, Mehling has added to the hot club canon, earning the title, “Godfather of American Gypsy Jazz.” After paying his dues as a member of Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, he founded the Hot Club Quintette of San Francisco, releasing many albums, including the best-selling Beatles tribute “John, Paul, George, and Django.” Mehling’s guitar playing is full of humor, flash, and always melodically tasty, and his on-stage banter leaves crowds in stitches.
With a career covering three decades and myriad musical genres, Robert Alan Witmeyer is currently the frontman for Silicon Valley gypsy jazz trio, Djangatos. Cutting his teeth during the “Swing Renaissance” of the 1990s singing and playing guitar with his group Martini Max and the Swing Kats, Witmeyer is now following in the footsteps of his musical mentor, Paul Mehling, composing, recording, and performing both original songs, as well as the music of Django Reinhardt. Drawing from his vast musical collection, Robert weaves in famous melodies and concepts from not just gypsy jazz, but also bebop, blues, and even some heavy metal, creating a fiery musical milieu.
Multi-generational jazz musician Dexter Williams is the up-and-coming upright bass player in the SF Bay Area musical scene. Growing up, Williams was influenced by his parents’ popular music group, the Wooden Nickel Jass Band. By high school, Dexter was a member of “Dixieland” youth group, the New Traditionalists, and was playing professionally with notable musicians Danny Coots, John Cocuzzi, and Hal Smith. He is currently the bass player of the Hot Club of San Francisco, laying down solid swing and offering up compelling solos. Williams’ impeccable intonation and inspired improvisation sets him apart from the vast majority of his peers, making him an entertaining addition to any group.
