May 19th - Day 31

A jamming evening of Gypsy swing Djangology at Le fantastic QuecumBar in Battersea High Street. And a regret that my love of music is not matched by a talent to perform it.

Seven musicians were piled into a leafy corner of the room. Three guitarists, a violinist, an accordianist, a clarinetist (I think - it was busy and I didn't have a clear view) and on double bass and cool beard, Viktor Obsust. I only got into Django Reinhardt last year, but already his written name leaps warmingly off the page as much as any other favourite musician or band. The "walk into a little corner of this city or that country" line can be glib, but I don't know this area and what with approaching the bar undercover of dark, I did get a distinctly satisfactory different time and place experience.

This is the blurb on the Le QuecumBar site (I've only just got it...cucumber!):

"A unique wine bar from a bygone era: pre-war France, with Hot Club gypsy jazz, invented by Django Reinhardt. Based in London, UK, we offer the best in live music and gypsy jazz. We add a twist to the traditional jazz club by pairing our Parisian charm with a love and knowledge of fine wines, all wrapped up in the spirit of Django. We offer all you'd expect from a great wine bar, plus mouthwatering food and an unequalled atmosphere worthy of the best jazz clubs around. A must for all jazz fans in London, the South East, and all live music fans nationwide."

2019 - Le QuecumBar still going strong with live gipsy jazz to the fore.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

There used to be a jazz club in Vancouver called The Glass Slipper. The building had formerly been a church. It was clapboard, painted purple and white. I say 'was' because one Christmas it burned to the ground. I attended a lively 'Django' session there with my cousin, the owner of the club. He is the 1st cousin once removed of skittle mustard and this will be news to sk.