Bo Django

(“Gypsy Jazz” and more)

Bo Django, an exciting new musical group, plays the fiery music created in the 1930s and ‘40s by legendary French Gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhardt, and carried on today largely by European Gypsies and non-Gypsies alike.  Known today as “Gypsy jazz,” “Gypsy Swing,” “Hot Club” music, or “Jazz Manouche,” Bo Django’s sound combines European sophistication, American jazz, and the signature harmonies and emotional intensity of Gypsy music everywhere.  In addition to Gypsy jazz, Bo Django intersperses songs with Latin rhythms, French “musette” waltzes, and other popular and jazz numbers.  Unique-sounding Gypsy jazz acoustic guitars, a pulsing string bass, and (with the quartet option) European-tinged jazz violin, create an irresistible blend.  Bo Django’s music appeals to people of all ages – from children to seniors.  From plaintive ballad melodies to blistering solos, passion and inventiveness are the common threads.

Bo Django is the culmination of its members’ efforts to create a high-quality Gypsy jazz group with “the right” sound.  After performing numerous times at various venues, the group named itself Bo Django, in honor of Django himself. 

Bo Django performs at private parties, public events, festivals, weddings (even including the wedding march, if desired), restaurants, wine bars, and all sorts of indoor and outdoor events.  Dress is according to the client’s wishes, from casual to suits to tuxes.  The members of the group are courteous, mature, and responsible.

MP3 Song Samples from Demo CD: 

Track 1    Track 2    Track 3    Track 4

The Lineup

Violin & Vocals - David & Linda Laflamme

Guitars - Paul Gruen
                Ned Ripple

String Bass - Michael Price

The Musicians

David & Linda Laflamme

Beginning his musical education at age five, David grew up to be a violin soloist for the Utah Symphony Orchestra and performed in numerous concert halls around the world.  After moving to the Bay Area in the early ‘60s, he became an icon in the underground scene, performing with people such as Jerry Garcia and Janis Joplin. After co-founding Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks, he joined It's a Beautiful Day in the mid-60s, which released the classic hit, "White Bird," followed by more albums.  In addition to classical and rock violin, David has for many years loved and played jazz violin and the music of Stephane Grappelli, the great jazz violinist who accompanied Django. Linda has been David's female vocal counterpart since the mid 1970's. Recording for Amherst records and performing many different styles of music over the span of her career she brings a consummate vocal and stage presence to the group.

Paul Gruen

Paul has been playing guitar since he was nine years old, progressing from folk to classical to rock to bluegrass to Django and to jazz in general.  He has performed Django’s music off and on for thirty years, and playing Gypsy jazz guitar is Paul’s greatest passion.  He grew up in Los Angeles but lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina for several years, where he helped found the Europa Jazz Quartet and also performed with members of the Squirrel Nut Zippers.  Paul teaches Gypsy jazz, straight-ahead jazz, bluegrass and other styles of guitar playing, as well as banjo and ukulele, at Tall Toad Music in Petaluma and Music X in Santa Rosa.  He also builds acoustic guitars. 

Michael Price

Michael is a professional bassist and music educator; his musical journeys have taken him through jazz groups, classical ensembles, rock bands, r&b outfits, Gamelans, and University diplomas.  The other members of Bo Django appreciate that Michael is one of those rare string bassists who connect musically with the audience and consistently receive enthusiastic applause.  Michael says he rarely has found such excitement as in this group, and he simply loves being part of Bo Django.

Ned Ripple

Ned has been playing guitar for roughly four decades, beginning with the early 60’s folk craze and quickly progressing to jazz.  Soon after moving to the Bay Area in the early 70’s, Ned heard the fantastic music that Django created, discovered "hot jazz" in general and never looked back. Throughout the 70's and 80's he performed in many local well-known clubs with various “jive” vocal, hot-club-infused jazz bands.  Ned has also appeared on local radio stations and in a nationally-syndicated film.  In addition to being a member of Bo Django, he also performs with his jazz vocal group, On the Air, and with The Hot Club of Marin.

For more information and bookings, please contact:
Paul Gruen
Telephone: (707) 225-4307
E-mail: paul@paulgruen.com