After finally meeting William Brunard on Montmartre with Julien and Christoph, I was pleased to hear he would be playing with Angelo Debarre at La Chope that coming weekend. I hopped on the train to go watch and crammed myself into a corner of the room and it was there that I was pushed up against Arnaud, who I saw the next night at MONK, and some other familiar faces. It was nice to branch out to a different part of Paris, but reminded me that I need to work on my French. Sorry for the double Angelo post, I just haven’t been in the mood to edit lately and 500 photos per evening is reminding me to work on capturing the moment and not the 14 surrounding moments.
La Chope des Puces 06.11.21 - Angelo Debarre & Friends (Again) /
MONK 10.21.21 Angelo Debarre & Friends /
On my last night in Paris (during this particular trip), I was shocked to find Angelo Debarre was going to be playing at my favorite haunt. Coming from a history of Rock and Roll in the early 2000s, I knew famous musicians to be inaccessible. Even being in the same bar or club as a celebrity musician was nearly impossible to do, so this was a funny reminder how different the atmosphere and culture of Gypsy Jazz is. Being able to saunter into your neighborhood bar (even if you’ve chosen to stay in the neighborhood because of said bar 😉 ) and rub elbows with people you listen to on Spotify for the most of the year is really a beautiful and humbling experience that I really try not to take for granted. You’ll see familiar faces and some that may surprise you. My sole thought after completing these edits is how much I’d like to return. Will trade photos for plane tickets.
Django By The Sea 9.30.22/10.01.22 /
Tim texted me to let me know there was a gypsy jazz-themed festival happening minutes from my house just a few days in the future and I wasted no time in emailing the organizer to offer my services. I was very lucky to be allowed in (and welcome as part of the group) and was even luckier to meet the musicians and spend time talking to, and singing at the jam later on in the evening with, all of them. The show was in a different kind of venue than I’m used to working in, but I think I found some creative solutions and am happier with the results than I thought I’d be. I even brought my Sony to make sure I filled as many gaps in my reach as I possibly could! Forgive the fact that these are a bit out of order.
Au Clairon Des Chasseurs 05.27.22 /
A fun evening at Au Clairon with the Brunards and some of my friends (Namora and Rayan). The 1969 90mm 2.8 is clearly the star of the show with it’s hazy vintage rendering, giving me exactly the look I hoped for from this lens. I’ve even included some color shots because of how well it produced colors from the evening. Fall days in Massachusetts make me miss these nights on Montmartre.
MONK 7.18.21 Film /
Just a roll of TriX shot on my M6 and pushed to 3200. This is the same night as the previous post, but I’ve just gotten these photos back and thought I’d throw them up on the site. I had to darken them and clean them up, but they’re a nice mood. Interestingly enough, some of my digitals naturally tended towards this film look in editing. Interesting, but not surprising. There are a few good ones, but I think 3200 is a bit past the limit for pushing TriX 400.
MONK 7.25.21 /
A little out of order, but the Brunards played again at MONK to end the season. Not sure if they’ll be playing there again, but I hope so, since La Taverne De Cluny is right around the corner from my apartment. New waitress told me I had to leave as they were closing, so quite a few less pictures than the week prior. 😉
L'APOSTROPHE 7.31.21 /
Many musicians had told me L’Apostrophe was the place to go to find someone to give me guitar lessons and I was surprised to find Alex’s group playing, so this night was filled with people I had met earlier in the week (Guillaume, Alex) as well as new friends (Tony, Clement). Unfortunately, Parisian vacation begins in August, so I have to go cold turkey on Gypsy Jazz for a few weeks.
Read MoreLA RHUMERIE 7.26.21 /
After playing guitar with Julien Brunard in the afternoon, he texted me to let me know some of his friends, Alex Arnaud in particular - who will become a reoccurring presence, would be playing that night at La Rhumerie.
Read MoreMONK 7.18.21 /
My first welcome back to Paris with the great Brunards. Julien has become a friend of mine and, with the development of my French, I hope Christoph will, as well.
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