Descriptions we’ve used:
- gypsy* jazz & vintage swing acoustic stringband
- lively acoustic swing stringband with gypsy* guitars, upright bass, and either clarinet, violin, mandolin, and/or accordion, playing old-time (20s/30s) jazz with exotic gypsy* & multiethnic flavors
- swing and world music played on acoustic stringed instruments, with exotic Old World flair, a fiery delivery, and feelgood charm
*”manouche” may be used in place of “gypsy“. While “gypsy jazz” is an established term for the genre, some maintain that the word “gypsy” is offensive to some. We plan to favor “manouche” in future descriptions.
History
The Hot Club of Hawthorne was founded in 2011 by guitarist Jeffree White, who has wowed NW audiences for 30 years with his extravagant guitar stylings, whimsical delivery, versatility, and flamboyant presence.
The Hot Club, by design, has always been a collective of musicians who play the style. Personnel varies from show to show. Over 60 musicians have performed in the band! This flexibility allows us to work with the best players around, and customize instrumentation and band size to fit any event.
The Hot Club has performed 100s of shows at venues including nightclubs, wineries, gala events, weddings, corporate events, and ballrooms. See the full list of venues below.
the music; the history; the name
Other descriptive phrases regarding the music
- gypsy jazz aka gypsy swing, hot jazz, or jazz manouche
- ranges from upbeat, fun, & lively — and danceable! — to mellow, pleasant, & sophisticated… depending on what the room calls for
- acoustic and mostly string-based; no drums or horns;
- old-timey swing and jazz music from the 20s and 30s, similar to ragtime & Dixieland
- exotic Eastern European flavors from gypsy cultures
- strong backbeat, like bluegrass, which serves to drive the music without drums
- more down-to-earth than modern, abstract jazz
- played with Old World flair and charm, and fiery passion!
- Common instruments in the genre are gypsy guitars, upright bass, violin, & clarinet, sometimes with accordion, mandolin, melodica, or others. No drums or horns!
- the repertoire consists of gypsy jazz standards including Django originals, swing tunes from mostly the 20s and 30s, some Latin numbers, and a few comedic film soundtrack songs!
instrumentation
We usually play as a 4-piece, but we can work from a duo on up, to fit the bill.
The core is typically 2 guitars and upright bass, plus either violin, clarinet, or accordion.
The group is a collective of many musicians, including some of Portland’s best: see “Personnel” list below.
the name
“Hot Club” denotes the subgenre of jazz characterized by the instrumentation, along with the blend of 20s/30s jazz with European and Latin influences.
French gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt was the most famous artist in the genre, as well as one of the innovators; our ensemble is largely modeled after his. His (and violinist Stephane Grappelli’s) group was called the Hot Club of France Quintet, named after the “Hot Clubs” which were European jazz appreciation societies in the 1930s.
There have been countless “Hot Club” bands since then worldwide. There are several in Portland!
The bandleader used to live off Hawthorne Blvd. It’s also a nod to his hippie roots. 
Venue List
The Hot Club of Hawthorne has performed at the following venues (some links are on our links page):
- Crystal Ballroom, twice, at the “Stumptown Speakeasy” showcase
- OMSI Gala Event
- Multnomah Co. Library, Main Branch
- Hornings Hideout, as part of “Hornings Hootenanny”
- Dante’s
- the Laurelthirst
- Canby Library Grand Opening
- Intel IT dept.’s Autumn Festival
- Southfork
- Mock Crest Tavern
- Secret Society Ballroom
- Duff’s Garage
- TreeSong Nature Awareness and Retreat Center
- the Tillicum
- Common Ground Wellness Center
- Clinton St. Theater, as part of Clinton St. Stomp
- Garcia Birthday Band Festival
- Montavilla Festival
- Girasole Pizza
- Kilt
- Tidbit
- Bob White Theatre
- the Blue Room
- Lents Holiday Bazaar
- New Seasons, Progress Ridge
- Alberta Beer Porch
- Hawthorne Hostel
- Mississippi Pizza Pub
- Maher’s Pub
- Turn Turn Turn
- Antonia Ballroom in Canby, as part of “Flashback Field Trip”
- Farmers Markets: Buckman, King, Lents, Woodstock, and PSU
- Corkscrew Wine Bar
- Plucky Maidens, multiple events
- Bar Carlo
- Bi-Zi Farms
- Sante Bar
- the Press Club
- St. Honore Boulangerie
- Sapphire Hotel
- Jam on Hawthorne
- Biddy McGraw’s
- Gotham Tavern
- Portland Saturday Market (many times)
- the Jade Lounge
- Beaterville Cafe
- the Globe
- Oak Hills July 4th Celebration (3 years)
- Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation Gala Event
- several weddings and anniversary parties
- Newspace Photography Center’s grand opening pre-party
- Thirst Bistro
- private event at retirement community
- and, the streets of Hawthorne!
Personnel
The Hot Club of Hawthorne has included the following musicians:
guitarists:
- Jeffree White
- Russell Gores
- Tommy Houston
- Joel Morrisette
- Alex Tomaino
- Chris Bonthron
- Rick King
- Joey Appel
- Lance Vallis
- Bret Malmquist
- Dennis Hitchcox
- Jason Reichert, steel guitar
- Jon Thor Austen
- Hyung Kyu Nam
- Tim Morgan
- Hank Hadeed
- Max Brinster
- Josiah Payne
violinists:
- Ben Blechman
- Greg Allison
- Flauren Ricketts
- Jeffrey Reynolds
- Ben Schroeder
- Jonathan Norling
- Eddie Parente
- Andy Ellis Valdini
clarinetists:
- Larry Nobori
- Andrew Alikhanov
- Joshua Gilbert (also flute and sax)
- Ralph Carney (also sax)
accordionists:
- Eric Stern
- Steve Cleveland
- Jim Bryan
- Rich Landar
- Gerson Robboy
- Doug Stickler
bassists:
- Bernardo Gomez
- Jim Delaney
- Russell Gores
- Drew Nelson
- Chuck Masi
- Ray Mann
- Belinda Underwood
- Kevin Eastes
- Andrew Jones
- Dan Golden
- Albert McDonnell
- Ryan Babichuk
- Dan Davis
- Bob Burgeni
- Sam McKinstry
- Don Corey
- David Bamberger
- Brien McMullen
- Joe Aloia
mandolinists:
- Ben Larsen
- Gail Streicker
- Jim Bryan
- Natalia Burgess
- Rich Landar
melodica…ists?
- Bob Burgeni
- Gary Peterson
- Joshua Birns-Sprague
pianists:
- Paul K Ward
- Steve Cleveland
trumpeter: Pace Rubadeau
saxophonist: Robert Linneman
percussion: Rob Roy
….and several others participating in the jams!