Django Festival Allstars: Jazz Aspen Snowmass (Late Show)

Step into a night that feels lifted from a Parisian café and goes roaring into the 21st century. The Django Festival Allstars deliver a musical experience bursting with spirit, swing, and soul in what The Wall Street Journal calls “the best jazz show in town.”
Led by guitarist Samson Schmitt, son of gypsy jazz legend Dorado Schmitt, this all-acoustic ensemble of international virtuosos radiates joy and passion through blazing guitar riffs, soaring violin, dazzling accordion, and deep, grooving bass. The result is an electrifying blend of old-school swing and modern energy that brings audiences to their feet. DownBeat praises them as “the hardest swinging group,” while George Benson calls them simply “sensational.”
Whether you're a longtime Django fan or discovering this sound for the first time, the Allstars promise an unforgettable evening of new music and a look back at Django favorites.

Their 2026 all-original studio album, Evolution on Motéma, expertly amplifies and expands Django’s essential legacy in the 21st century.

Samson Schmitt (lead guitar)
Pierre Blanchard (violin)
Ludovic Beier (accordion and accordina)
Antonio Licusati (bass)
Francko Mehrstein (rhythm guitar)