Part of our March celebration of feminine creativity
About the Event
Step into an evening of timeless elegance and irresistible rhythm as Tatiana Eva-Marie & Avalon Jazz Band present Djangology, Tatiana`s latest tribute to the legendary Django Reinhardt. Hailed as the “jazz Warbler” by The New York Times and a ”rising star of jazz” by Vanity Fair, Eva-Marie reimagines Reinhardt’s music through her own refined arrangements and poetic French lyrics, drawing from her French and Romanian heritage and deep affinity for the golden age of Parisian jazz. Accompanying her on this musical journey are Davide Laura (violin), Max O’Rourke (guitar), and Julian Smith (bass) of the acclaimed Avalon Jazz Band, bringing their signature artistry and flair to the stage. With its graceful melodies, intricate improvisations, and evocative rhythms, Djangology invites you into a world where music tells stories, and every note carries the spirit of a bygone era.
Meet the Musicians
Tatiana Eva-Marie is a Brooklyn-based singer, bandleader, and actress, who was recently named rising jazz star, by Vanity Fair. Acclaimed by the Wall Street Journal, the NY Times, Downbeat and other renowned publications, she performs regularly in New York City and around the world (New Orleans Jazz Festival, Jazz Aspen SnowMass, SummerStage NY, Midsummer Night Swing, the NYC Winter JazzFest, Jazz at Lincoln Center and world premieres of Hollywood films). Inspired by her French and Romanian heritage, she explores her love for jazz through the lens of 1930s Paris, and the origins of Roma Jazz. Tatiana was born into a musical family in Switzerland and set off to Paris at the age fifteen where she pursued a love for the music of a French and Rumanian heritage, and the Roma Jazz of Django Reinhardt.
Davide Laura (violin) is an Italian violinist known for his dynamic, cross-genre performances. He has played at renowned venues such as Teatro alla Scala, Blue Note Milano, and Birdland Theatre in New York as part of Tatiana Eva-Marie’s band. His festival appearances include the Savannah Jazz Festival, Mi To Settembre Musica, and Parma Verdi Festival. Blending jazz manouche influences with contemporary sounds, Davide’s eclectic style is rooted in improvisation, exploring the intersections of classical, jazz, and world music.
Max O'Rourke (guitar) is a musician, bandleader, and composer best known for their dynamic and creative take on the music of Django Reinhardt. Born and raised in rural Vermont, they have performed and taught all over the world with the likes of Gonzalo Bergara, Rhythm Future Quartet, John Jorgenson, Matt Munisteri, and Stephane Wrembel. They can often be found in the house band at the legendary Mona’s trad jazz session on Avenue B in New York City, as well as playing with a wide variety of other folks across genres.
Julian Smith (bass) grew up in a jazz household whose circle included music luminaries such as trumpet great Nat Adderly, bassist Walter Booker, drummer Jimmy Cobb, arranger/saxophonist Bob Belden, and Frank Sinatra. Those jazz legends were just a few of the influences that fueled Julian’s desire to become a jazz musician. Julian graduated from Berklee School of Music in 2008, where he was a recipient of the North American scholarship and studied with Hal Crook, Lin Biviano, Dave Santoro, and John Lockwood. Julian was the recipient of Illinois Arts Council grants in the years 2002, 2003, and 2004. He was awarded a Masters of Music in Jazz Performance at Rutgers University, where, as a teaching fellow, he directed two jazz combos. He studied with Mike Richmond, Vic Juris, Stanley Cowell, Ralph Bowen, and Conrad Herwig. He lists Jaco Pastorius, Ron Carter, Sam Jones, Dave Holland, Scott LaFaro and Paul Chambers as his greatest influences. For the past fifteen years Julian has lived and gigged in New York, playing with groups that range from Frank Sinatra Jr. to straight-ahead jazz to French and Balkan traditions to Mark Tremonti.