The Hot Club of Philadelphia was founded in 2001 by guitarist and vocalist Barry Wahrhaftig, They are an acoustic jazz quartet, mainly influenced by the music of the original Hot Club of France, which was led Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. The've updated the sound and added their own influences.
The band features Wahrhaftig, [war-hof-tig], on lead guitar & vocals, Jim Stager, or Josh Machiz-bass. Rich T. Hill on 2nd guitar, Joseph Arnold violin or Bob Butryn on clarinet. They also feature Phyllis Chapell or Meg Elizabeth on vocals. Their two CD's were well received, and their last release; 'Gypsy Routes,' came it at #11 on WRTI Radio's Top 100 Countdown at the end of 2015s'. Barry Wahrhaftig writes about Gypsy Jazz for Djangobooks.com, and teaches seminars and workshops in the style. He plays an AJL guitar. They have performed for the Kimmel Center's PIFA Festival and have played sold out shows at the World Cafe Live, Landhaven B & B, Miller Symphony Hall 'Jazz Room Upstairs.' They' also performed at the Phila Museum of Art 'Art After 5,' series, and were part of Phila's 1st 'Diner en Blanc,' filmed by WHYY for Friday Arts program. They have also performed at the Michener Museum, Pastorious Park Summer Series, Rose Tree Park, Cheltenham series, Jazz Bridge, and are regulars at the Paris Bistro in Chestnut Hill, Saloon in S.Philly and the Bookstore/Speakeasy. They play music that is fun, and accessible, and user-friendly. ('Local angle; The original Hot Club of France took inspiration from Guitarist Eddie Lang, and Violinist Joe Venuti, who were from Philadelphia).
