Les Petits Nouveaux’s sophomore release is an exciting
breath of fresh air in a genre that is often mired in traditionalism. The
album’s namesake is a tribute to both Django Reinhardt and the group’s
connection to the Swedish capitol through band member, Mikko Hilden. Half
recorded in Toronto and half in Stockholm, it captures the musical journey of a
Jazz Manouche ensemble that is set on pushing the envelope while respecting the
traditions. Fusing Django Reinhardt’s infectious swing and the modern
advancements of the post-war jazz era, Stockholm is a record that sounds
nostalgic yet current. The group collaborated with many of Canada’s
well-established personnel to produce this record; including virtuoso
vibraphonist, Michael Davidson, award-winning mix engineer, Don Kerr (Ron
Sexsmith, Bahamas, Rheostatics), and Canadian Jazz Manouche ambassador, Denis
Chang. The album is released with support from the Ontario Arts Council.
Les Petits Nouveaux is a Jazz Manouche collective based in
Toronto. The band's founder, Mikko Hilden, joins Aline Homzy, Andy Mac, and Tak
Arikushi and overcome geographic challenges (Mikko now lives in Stockholm and
Andy lives in Monteral) to create music. The band's name means "A little
bit of new" in French, and they continually strive to introduce bits of
modern influences while respecting the traditions of the genre. Influences as
diverse as Astor Piazzolla, Julian Lage, and even Dr. Dre can be found in their
repertoire.
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