The Django Reinhardt NY Festival
returns November 11–15, 2026 at
DIZZY’S CLUB
The Django Reinhardt NY Festival carries on the legacy of gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt with top players from Europe combined with America’s great jazz stars to bring joy to the public with its swinging sound, virtuosity, romantic melodies, and camaraderie amongst the musicians.
Celebrating 25 Years!
The Django Reinhardt NY Festival was launched in 2000 and was the first-ever festival of its kind in America and established a home at the legendary club, Birdland, in New York City. 2025 marks its 25th anniversary, and it’s still going strong. The Festival is produced by Pat Philips, and founded by Pat Philips & Ettore Stratta.
The Festival celebrates the music of legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt who teamed with famed jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli in the 30’s and 40’s to create the Quintet of the Hot Club de France which went on to become one of the most important jazz partnerships in history, causing a sensation!
This ‘hot-swing’ form of jazz has its roots in American popular music and in the reverence for Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and other great American jazz figures.
Django played with a virtuosity unmatched to this day and an originality that inspires young guitarists all over the world to continue perpetuating his legacy. Django not only performed with tremendous talent but was a highly regarded composer having written such standards as “Nuages.”
While created over 50 years ago, the music is “cutting edge” and is enjoying a resurgence all over the world. We call it ‘hip hot’!!!
Some of the great European musicians who have appeared include Dorado Schmitt, Samson Schmitt, Ludovic Beier, Angelo Debarre, Stochelo Rosenberg, Joscho Stephan, Peter Beets, Tchavolo Schmitt, Pierre Blanchard, Florin Niculesco, and more.
Some of the great American jazz masters who have joined them include James Carter, Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Lovano, Anat Cohen, Ken Peplowski, Frank Wess, Roger Kellaway, Grace Kelly, Harry Allen, Joel Frahm, Dave Samuels, Tom Scott, Veronica Swift, Cyrille Aimée and more.
About the Producers
Pat Philips-Stratta
Pat Philips-Stratta produces original concert events. She feels privileged to have worked with so many great artists. Many of her highly acclaimed projects at Carnegie Hall, co-produced with Ettore Stratta—her partner and husband, include the 80th birthday celebration of Stephane Grappelli with Yo-Yo Ma (his first venture outside of classical music), Michel Legrand, Toots Thielemans, Oscar Peterson’s Tribute with Hank Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Billy Taylor, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Clark Terry, among others: Paquito D’Rivera’s celebration of “50 Years of Show Business” with greats Cachao, Bebo Valdez, Yo-Yo Ma, Candido, and Dave Samuels, and more. READ MORE
Ettore Stratta
In Memory (d. July 9th 2015)
Other recordings and conducting were with Tony Bennett “The Art of Excellence,” Lena Horn’s “The Men in My Life” (which included Sammy Davis Jr. and Joe Williams), Cleo Laine, Diahann Carroll, Maureen McGovern, Norwegian star Sissel, Dave Grusin, Julio Iglesias, Ray Charles, Linda Eder, Claus Ogerman with Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Hank Jones, Chaka Kahn, Dick Hyman, Nancy Wilson, Ramsey Lewis, Toots Thielemans, Dionne Warwick, Sir Roland Hanna, Judy Garland, Regina Carter, and so many more. Maestro Stratta, the ultimate renaissance music man, conducted for Michel Legrand for 10 years, and Stephane Grappelli for 25 years. READ MORE