Paying homage to Django Reinhardt. The Hot Club of Black Rock plays hot swing, or jazz manouche, the kind of jazz that was popular in Paris in the 1920s and 1930s. Think the Moulin Rouge, or a cafe at four in the morning.
Guitar (R) - William Earley
William attended Naugatuck Community College, where he studied with Joe Beck (Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra) and later pursued guitar at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, CA, where he studied with renowned guitarists like Scott Henderson, Dan Gilbert, and Allen Hinds. Will is a virtuoso guitarist who is quickly becoming a local celebrity and well-sought-after session guitarist.Guitar (L) - Matt Dempsey
Matt received a B.S. in Music and Sound Recording from the University of New Haven. He has also traveled to The Collective School of Music in NYC to continue his education. Believing that we are forever students, Matt feels strongly that to be a good educator one must be open and constantly learning. He currently teaches at the Fairfield/Trumbull School of Music and the Fairfield School of Rock.Upright Bass - Frank Brocklehurst
Based out of Western CT, Frank Brocklehurst splits his busy schedule between performing throughout New England and building/repairing musical instruments.Clarinet - Mike Piraneo
Mike has a master's degree in music education from the Hartt School of Music. He performs classical as well as jazz clarinet in various ensembles throughout Connecticut. Whether in a concert hall or a coffee bar, Mike plays music for the purpose of entertainment as well as cultural revival.Fiddle - Brian Slattery
Brian Slattery plays violin in as many styles as he can muster. In addition to playing jazz manouche with the Hot Club of Black Rock, he plays klezmer in Bivolita, fiddle in the Appalachian-based Moon Shells, violin, banjo, and trombone in Dr. Caterwaul's Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps, and trombone in the Harris Brothers Balkan Brass Band.
