PUTNEY-Next Stage Arts presents the Stéphane Wrembel Band Saturday, June 27, at 7:30 pm at Next Stage, 15 Kimball Hill.
Stéphane Wrembel returns to Next Stage with his ensemble for an evening of musicianship that blends jazz, Gypsy swing, world music, and original compositions. Hailing from Fontainebleau, France, Wrembel has built an international reputation for performances that are both “technically breathtaking and emotionally compelling.”
A prolific composer as well as performer, Wrembel’s music has reached audiences far beyond the concert hall. His compositions “Bistro Fada” and “Big Brother” were featured in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, respectively. His contribution to the 2011 Midnight in Paris soundtrack helped earn a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
In 2012, composer Hans Zimmer invited Wrembel to perform as part of the Academy Awards all-star band alongside celebrated artists including Esperanza Spalding, Pharrell Williams, and Sheila E.
Spanning a career that includes more than 20 albums, Wrembel “has continually expanded the possibilities of contemporary acoustic music,” organizers wrote in a news release. They say his 2024 recording, Triptych, a collaboration with pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, received critical praise from DownBeat, Guitar Player, Acoustic Guitar magazine, and New York City Jazz Record.
His newest release, Django New Orleans II: Hors-Série (2025), merges brass-band traditions and rhythms of New Orleans with his signature jazz manouche style, featuring original compositions and his debut as a vocalist.
Wrembel’s collaborators and performance history reflect his broad artistic reach. He has shared stages with musicians such as Elvis Costello and The Roots and has appeared on NPR’s Mountain Stage and WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour.
Despite the many influences woven into his music, Wrembel resists easy categorization.“I just play my own music,” he says. “It’s not only for the rock music lover, the Django Reinhardt lover, or jazz lover. It’s for the music lover.”
Joining Wrembel for this performance are Adrien Chevalier on violin, Ari Folman-Cohen on bass, and Nick Anderson on drums.
“Stéphane Wrembel is one of those rare artists whose music appeals equally to devoted jazz fans, guitar enthusiasts, and audiences who simply love exceptional live performance,” said Heather Ahrenholz, Next Stage’s communications director. “His concerts are adventurous, joyful, and deeply engaging.”
Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $22 in advance, $26 at the door, and $10 for livestream access, available at nextstagearts.org.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.