PEARL DJANGO – Sunday, July 18, 2010
Hosted by KPLU's Dick Stein

Entering their sixteenth year of performing, Pearl Django continues to be one of America’s most respected and busiest Hot Club style groups. Though still strongly influenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, Pearl Django’s repertoire now includes many original compositions. Their music reaches out across the divides of taste to a wide variety of audiences. The band's fervent followers include Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli fans, guitar enthusiasts (and guitarists!), lovers of string music, including bluegrass devotees, who relish nimble, clean, intricate picking, "world music" fans drawn to French and Gypsy accents, plus jazz buffs and aficionados of the new swing music. Transcending simple categorization, Pearl Django packs in enthusiastic audiences at dancehalls and nightclubs, at folk music festivals and jazz festivals alike.  They will release their 10th album in June 2010.

Guitarist and founding member of Pearl Django, Neil Andersson, is retiring from the band.  Guitarist Troy Chapman, founder of the group Billet-deux, has joined Pearl Django, which includes Ryan Hoffman, Guitar; David Lange, Accordion; Michael Gray, Violin; and Rick Leppanen, Bass.