Manoir De Mes Reves
Evan Christopher’s Django A La Creole
A haunting Django Reinhardt ballad performed by clarinetist Evan Christopher’s quartet
New Orleans clarinetist Evan Christopher has in recent times been exploring the music of Django Reinhardt with his group Django A La Creole.
Reinhardt first introduced his haunting ballad “Manoir De Mes Reves” in 1943, recording it several times during the next decade including twice with violinist Stephane Grappelli and in versions with either Gerard Leveque or Andre Ekyan on clarinet.
Christopher’s quartet is featured performing the piece at a concert in Montargis, France (near Paris) in Nov. 2009.
The spotlight is on the fluent guitarist David Blenkhorn throughout while Christopher is content to play the opening and closing melodies, and quietly behind the lyrical Blenkhorn.
Personnel:
Evan Christopher, clarinet
David Blenkhorn, electric guitar
Dave Kelbie, acoustic guitar
Sebastien Girardot, string bass
– Scott Yanow