Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Deft Digits

Many top guitarists cite Django Reinhardt as both their greatest influence and one of the best of all time. Yet few make it their mission to play as he did. Paul Mehling, founder of the Hot Club of San Francisco and considered the godfather of American gypsy jazz, has done just that. While traveling in Europe, he heard hot jazz, or jazz manouche, performed by French players who popularized the style. Forming a band stateside, Mehling attracted the virtuosic talents of violinist Evan Price and others. The group performs its Postcards from Gypsyland album, which includes tangos, waltzes and Mehling originals.