Join us on a century-long journey from 1920s Paris through New York and Latin America to jazz guitar music contemporary performed by these virtuosos from Sweden, France, Germany and Switzerland. The focus is of course on the music written by guitar legend Django Reinhardt!
Swing 23 is made up of two women and two men, a rare formation in jazz. This mix creates a rich symbiosis in a balanced quartet where harmony, mutual respect, and good humor serve the music. Highly interactive with each other and the audience, these four musicians clearly enjoy playing together, and it shows!
Swing 23 also represents four countries: France, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany.
Drawing from their diverse origins and international careers, these brilliant virtuosos take us on a journey from Paris to New York, from Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli’s gypsy swing (Minor Swing, Nuages, Swing 42…) to New York jazz from the 1920s to 1940s with famous tracks like How High The Moon, My Blue Heaven, and even Charlie Parker’s Yardbird Suite. Each musician brings their own story and influences, creating masterful and innovative improvisations that renew the style with every piece—a very modern, inventive, energetic, and refreshing jazz.
Swing 23 includes the radiant Eva Slongo (violin), the enthusiastic Julia Hornung (double bass), the expressive Gustav Lundgren (guitar), and the dynamic Edouard Pennes (guitar).
A classically trained concert violinist, Eva Slongo studied jazz under Pierre Blanchard and improvisation with Didier Lockwood, following in the tradition of Stéphane Grappelli. She later developed her own style in collaboration with musicians like Biréli Lagrène, Ninine Garcia, Sébastien Giniaux, Giovanni Mirabassi, Baptiste Herbin, François Moutin, Lukmil Perez, Baptiste Bailly, and many others across Europe. A virtuoso, even breathtaking, and with an impressive repertoire, she pushes the limits of jazz violin with her energy-packed and inventive solos.
Julia Hornung plays an active role in the revival of gypsy jazz in Germany. She is also a key figure on the German independent pop scene, making her a unique and musically rich jazz artist. Effortlessly overcoming the technical challenges of her instrument, her melodious and clear improvisations bring a light and joyful swing..
With hundreds of recorded tracks and millions of streams, Gustav Lundgren has worked with renowned musicians like Chris Cheek, Jorge Rossy, Jimmy Rosenberg, and Anne Sofie von Otter. He founded the Hot Club of Sweden and has performed in about thirty countries. A worthy disciple of Django Reinhardt, he is deeply rooted in contemporary New York-style jazz. All of these influences blend into his solos, resulting in a very elegant and innovative performance. Gustav is also an incomparable live performer, reacting instantly to his fellow musicians’ solos and energizing the audience. With him, there’s always something happening!
Classically trained and introduced to jazz by Serge Krief, Stéphane Guéry, and Pierre Cullaz, Edouard Pennes is a key guitarist on both the French and international jazz scenes, where he has collaborated with Tchavolo Schmitt, Angelo Debarre, Adrien Moignard, Sébastien Giniaux, Bastien Ribot, and many others. Perfectly at ease in this repertoire, which he masters flawlessly, Edouard dazzles with his dexterity and inventive solos, always managing to surprise and captivate.
With Swing 23, these four outstanding musicians undoubtedly form one of the best swing jazz groups on the current scene.
