If you're in New York next week, you have a rare opportunity to see a jazz first. Pat Philips is presenting the Django Festival All-Stars at Birdland from November 1st to the 6th, an event she has produced for more than 20 years. What makes next week special is that vocalist Stefi Schmitt, the 17-year-old daughter of lead guitarist Samson Schmitt, will be accompanying the swinging French-Roma quintet for the first time at the club along with her 8-year-old sister, Stenli, who plays guitar. For Birdland information and reservations, go here. [Photo above of Stefi Schmitt, courtesy of Stefi Schmitt]
Stefi is no stranger to performing. She appeared at Carnegie Hall in 2018 during the Forever Django concert there and she more recently sang on French television's The Voice Kids. He appearance at Birdland will place her in an intimate setting, and audiences will get to experience Stefi's passion and excitement for the music up close. She truly is extraordinary, as is Stenli. [Photo above, from left front, of Stefi, her brother Stan, and her father Samson, courtesy of Stefi Schmitt]
Unfamiliar with the Django Festival All-Stars? These guys are amazing. The heat and intensity of their playing, not to mention their technique playing originals and Django Reinhardt's songbook, are something to behold. You won't be able to sit still. The last time I was there to see them before the pandemic, the audience was roaring by the end. [Photo above of the Django Festival All-Stars with producer Pat Philips]
I recently caught up with Stefi to gauge her excitement and to find out a little bit about her. My special thanks to Samson for making Stefi available and for accordionist Ludovic Beier for translating her French into English. The All-Stars are Samson Schmitt on lead guitar, Pierre Blanchard on violin, Ludovic Beier on accordion and accordina, Antonio Licusati on bass, and Michael Harris on rhythm guitar. They bring to life the jazz of Django Reinhardt through hot standards and originals.
JazzWax: Excited about your first appearance at Birdland?
Stefi Schmitt: Oh yes. What an adventure. Birdland has been like my father’s second home, performing there regularly with the Django Festival All-Stars. Performing at Birdland for me has always been a dream, as it would be for every young singer. I will give my best on stage while enjoying my family and the band. I’ll also be with my younger sister, Stenli, who is such a talented singer and guitarist. I hope you’ll be there. I hope your readers will be there. [Photo of Stefi Schmitt, courtesy of Stefi Schmitt]
JW: Where did you grow up?
SS: I was born in Forbach, France, in the eastern part of the country near the German border. I still live there with my family. It’s a beautiful region that's full of history and has a strong Roma music scene among the community.
JW: When did you start singing with your father?
SS: I performed for the first time on stage with him when I was 6. I also recorded a song on his album Crazy Sound, released in 2014. Performing with him at that age was an amazing experience. I knew then that I would be an artist and that music would be my life. Tours and concerts with my father's band in France and Belgium became my first gigs. In 2018, I had the chance and honor to sing Hymne à l'Amour, an Edith Piaf classic, at Carnegie Hall. The concert included my grandfather and legendary guitarist and violinist Dorado Schmitt, along with the Django Festival All-Stars. A dream come true for me and for anyone, really. I also was so happy to share the stage that night with singers Melody Gardot and Veronica Swift.
JW: Do you play an instrument?
SS: My instrument, for now, is my voice. It's such hard work to give all you have with your voice. So I concentrate on my singing. But, of course, since I’m part of a musical family, I enjoy putting my fingers on guitar strings every now and then.
JW: Were you inspired by jazz records growing up?
SS: Yes, but I’m attracted to all kinds of music. My taste is wide and not restricted to a single genre. I was most inspired by great pop vocalists such as Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga, French singer Edith Piaf, Mireille Mathieu, Michel Legrand, Charles Aznavour, Etta James and Stacy Kent, among others.
JW: You also sing dance as well. La Voice de la Famille sounds great.
SS: Thank you! After being on the famous French TV series The Voice Kids in 2020, I recorded my first single, La Voie de La Famille. This song with a pop groove relates to my personal history with my family and the Roma culture that is a part of our music. The song reflects the state of my creative mind now—mixing our traditional music with new sounds and influences. One of my favorite pastimes is to sing the instrumentals on songs by Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga and other contemporary artists.
JW: What’s next for you?
SS: My father will be the artistic director of my next project. We are starting to record an album of 12 cover songs and originals. It will be my first LP. I can’t wait to finish it. My aspiration now is to perform as often as I can to gain experience, polish my vocal style and be as good as possible so I can share all of my passion and feelings with audiences. I'm working hard. [Photo of Stefi Schmitt, courtesy of Stefi Schmitt]
JazzWax clips: Here's Stefi on The Voice Kids in 2020 singing Etta James's rendition of At Last...
Here's Stefi singing La Voie de la Famillie...
Here's Stefi and Stenli with their father Samson Schmitt and their brother Stan...
And here's an hour of the Django Festival All-Stars in 2017...