Rose Oyamot

In recent years Honeysuckle Rose played at a West Bank coffeehouse and the now-closed Molly Quinn's on Lake Street in Minneapolis, and released a CD ("Honeysuckle Rose") locally in fall 2006.

The band just started a regular engagement on Friday nights at the Aster Café in Minneapolis' Main Street entertainment district.

On Friday, opening night at the Aster, the four instrumentalists drew enthusiastic applause as they cruised flawlessly through Django classics such as "Daphne" and "Minor Swing" and some standards such as "Paper Moon." Lead guitarist Harrington produced a dazzling solo on "All of Me," a number that has been done to death elsewhere but took on a fresh appeal in their hands.

Harrington began as a classical guitarist, and that training shows in the deftness of his left hand. He later learned many of Django's solos note-for-note. But these days he and Stenshoel trade improvised choruses that are inventive but still faithful to the Reinhardt- Grappelli style. Friday night they get solid backing from rhythm guitarist Hansen and bassist Jesse Harms, who substituted for Holle Brian.

A bouquet of roses stood on the front table at the Aster, possibly a silent stand-in for vocalist Rose Oyamot. She couldn't make the gig, but promises to sing with the group from now on.

The details:
6:30-9:30 p.m. Fridays: April 6, 13, 20, 27
Aster Café, 125 SE. Main St., Mpls. (612-379-3138)
No cover charge.
Information, sample tunes n the Web: www.myspace.com/honeysucklerosemusic

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