Best known for his collaborations with violinist Stephane Grapelli in their Quintette du Hot Club de France, Django Reinhardt was one of the most popular jazz artists of the 30s, 40s and 50s and had a profound influence on such artists across musical genres, from Julian Bream and Chet Atkins to B.B. King and Jimi Hendrix, from Les Paul and Barney Kessell to the hot clubs of the 21st century.

Django Fest Sunday! (January 17, 6 pm). Three of the hottest of hot club bands perform this evening with host/vocalist Connie Evingson, who has recorded and performed with all: The Clearwater Hot Club, featuring young guitar whiz Sam Miltich, along with guitarist Mark Kreitzer, bassist Matthew Miltich, and saxman Dave Karr; the Parisota Hot Club with Robb Henry on guitar, Gary Schulte on violin, Jim Chenowith on bass, and Patrick Harrison on accordion; and the Twin Cities Hot Club with Robert Bell and Reynold Philipsek on guitars, Matt Senjum on bass, and Gary Schulte on violin.

Dorado Schmitt (January 18-19, 7 and 9:30 pm) is one of the most influential musicians in the recent hot club revival. Like Django, his technical virtuosity (on violin as well as guitar) is only surpassed by his enduring melodies. He’s performed throughout the world with such luminaries as Oscar Peterson, Philip Catherine, and James Carter; has headlined numerous festivals and has an extensive discography. At the Dakota he will be joined by his “All Stars” -- son Samson on guitar, Marcell Loeffler on accordion, Pierre Blanchard on violin, and Stephane Grappelli’s bassist, Brian Torff. The All Stars have been featured performers at the annual Django Festival at Birdland in Manhattan. Schmitt sums his approach to music: "[to be a] gypsy musician is … to show the spirit of the music of the Reinhardt legacy…The message is we are Gypsy; we are giving happiness."

Mark O’Connor (January 20, 7 and 9:30 pm) grew up straddling the worlds of folk fiddling and the French jazz of Stephane Grapelli. Considered a direct cultural descendant of America's 18th century musicians, the violinist/composer/fiddler is widely acclaimed as a “genius” (Baltimore Sun), "brilliantly original" (Seattle Times), “one of the most talented and imaginative [artists]...working in music -- any music-- today" (Los Angeles Times), who provides his audiences with "one of the most spectacular journeys in recent American music" (New York Times). Among his many projects, his “gypsy swing” trio has been an audience favorite, dating back to June 2001, when O'Connor released his tribute to Stephane Grapelli, Hot Swing!  (OMAC). Recorded live with bassist Jon Burr and guitarist Frank Vignola, the Chicago Tribune called it "one of the finest discs of his career and one of the greatest jazz violin albums ever." Since then, the Hot Swing Trio has played to sold-out audiences at Jazz at Lincoln Center, appeared with guests Wynton Marsalis and Jane Monheit, and has released five recordings to date. Tonight he brings to the Dakota his Hot Swing Trio featuring two outstanding eclectic guitarists/composers, Frank Vignola and Matt Munisteri. Vignola has appeared with such diverse talents as Donald Fagan, Wynton Marsalis and Queen Latifah; Munisteri with Holly Cole, Jimmy Scott and Jenny Scheinman. As a special treat, the trio will be joined by genre-crossing singer/songwriter Heather Masse of the Wailin’ Jennys.

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; advance tickets recommended for Schmitt and O’Connor shows at 612-332-1010 or www.dakotacooks.com