Clive Peacock reviews Kenilworth Jazz Club, "Swing From Paris" at Kenilworth Rugby Club,

Each February a celebration of the Hot Club de France of the 1930's and 40's returns to Kenilworth in the form of Swing From Paris.

Early booking was necessary for this most popular of events in the Kenilworth Jazz Club diary. Stalwart promoter Dave Farrell was quick to suggest a very topical 100% tariff on ticket prices for their 2026 visit!

Whilst many in the arts world face cut backs and fewer opportunities to perform, Swing From Paris are clearly bucking this trend with an increasingly impressive list of upcoming engagements throughout the spring and summer.

And this is well deserved! Keeping pace with changing customer needs, their latest album "I Love Paris" (2024), the title from Cole Porter's musical Can Can, is now available on vinyl, digital as well as CD!

The Swing success remains rooted in the works of Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt who formed the original Quintette du Hot Club de France in 1934 as the original all string band.

Swing From Paris pay tribute to those founders, however, they have now developed an impressively extensive repertoire; their performances are increasingly professional, notably the now very confident, witty and self-assured Fenner Curtis who takes responsibility for the many thoughtful introductions which included a reference to Reinhardt, born into a gypsy family, losing two fingers in a caravan fire, leaving him with only index and middle finger to learn to play!

Curtis is joined by the excellent double bass player, Tomasz Williams showing greater confidence since last year.

Andy Bowen continues to deliver astonishingly moving electronic guitar solos, whilst Sam Hughes has responsibility for all acoustic guitar backing.

His efforts in the Django gypsy style waltz, "Flambée Montalbanaise were rewarded with warm applause. Astor Piazzolla's "Oblivion" and Benny Goodman's "Avalon" showcased the faultless Williams talents, as did Duke Ellington's 1937 "Caravan" ending with another of Swing's crisp finishes.

Clever interpretations of works by George Gershwin and his brother Ira, with a clever segue between "Lady Be Good" and "The Man I Love", demonstrated once again this is a team destined for a very bright future.

Book early for 2026 in Kenilworth – there will be a queue at the door!