Tchavolo Schmitt Downloads

Tchavolo Schmitt is almost a legend, both locally anfd for lovers of gypsy swing despite the fact he has recorded very little music  and has never tried to carve out a career for himself. Those, (like the young Romane) who had chance to hear him in the seventies playing gypsy waltzes in... Learn More »

Tchavolo Schmitt is almost a legend, both locally anfd for lovers of gypsy swing despite the fact he has recorded very little music  and has never tried to carve out a career for himself.
Those, (like the young Romane) who had chance to hear him in the seventies playing gypsy waltzes in particular in the bistros around the Puce, still remember the occasions. His performances, and he played with virtually all Django's emulators were to leave their mark on a whole generation of guitarist enthralled by the style.

He was born in Paris in 1954 in a familly of musicians and took up the guitar around the age of six.
His name was known in wider circles from the time he took part in the Darmstadt Musikfest der Zigeuner (where he brought the house down) and though audio visual recordings in circulation that attested to amazing performances. Tchavolo found himself playing alongside the violonist of the time, Scnuckenack Reinhardt, Schmitto Kling and Wedeli Kohler. Kohler took him on board his group, the Hot Club Da Sinti and they toured for severals month and made a recording.
However Tchavolo vanished from professional circuits and retourned in Strasbourg where he settled in 1979. Having traveled there for a party with his two brother, he ended up staying there doing the round in small bars, giving some concert for associations. He played with his friend musicians of Strasbourg such as Patick Perez or brothers Mandigo and Sony Reinhardt or those passing through like Bireli Lagrène, Dorado or Stochello Rosenberg. During all these years he just selected a few events to participate in: the Garnier Opéra in 1992, the route tsigane at the villette, the gypsy swing festival in Angers.
His carrer take a new turn with his participation in the  Tony Gatlif movies "Latcho Drom" and "Swing" which is inspired by his life.  He started recording albums under his own name with "Alors? Voilà!"  in 2000 and released "Loutcha" in 2005.
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