Hot Club d'Allemagne

The "Quintette du Hot Club de France" founded in 1934 by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli was one of the first European jazz formations that, having been influenced by American jazz and traditional sinti-music, created a completely new style of jazz and became role models for many subsequent music generations.

At the beginning of this decade, the guitarist Karl-Heinz Vogel and the violinist Thomas Prokein crossed paths whereupon they both recognized their mutual affection for the "gypsy jazz" of "Quintette du Hot Club de France". During their initial practice sessions together, they promptly realized their vast musical compatibility. In order to get closer to the original sound, the instrumentation was made complete by the guitarist Klaus Jacob and the double bass player Hendrik Bertram. What was at first primarily a concept quickly transformed into a bona fide band, resulting in the establishment of the "Hot Club d'Allemagne".

The band has continued to develop since this time. While there was an emphasis in the beginning on interpretation of the repertoire of their great musical idols, the musicians quickly found ways to extend this tradition and enliven it with original compositions. Even their public presence intensified with time- one could soon experience "Hot Club d'Allemagne" frequently on-stage in the highly-acclaimed MDR Kultur-Café (national radio) or, among other venues, at the Leipzig Opera-Ball. A special high-point was the collaboration with "Late Night Jazz" in the context of the Dresden concert series "Jazz in the Semper Opera House" in 2004. In November 2004 Georg Prokein joined the band as double bass player.

"Hot Club d'Allemagne" is also striving to keep the legacy of Django Reinhardt and Stephan Grapelli alive in the future as well by trail-blazing new musical directions, enabling a wider audience to take part in their own enthusiasm.