Joscho Stephan Concert

	On Sunday, July 24, 2005 young Joscho Stephan took Columbus, Ohio by storm - yet, only a handful of our areas luckiest people got to witness a level of world class talent that we aren't apt to see here ever again. Joscho and his dad Gunter on rhythm guitar and traveling buddy, Max Shaaf on bass, had been in Indianapolis on a US tour and this was going to be their day off. However, Joscho knew just how much I wanted my OFGC club and the jazz community of Columbus to hear him live, so they agreed to have us come get them to perform at the Linworth Alternative High School in Worthington, Ohio. (Our mega thanks to the management of Linworth Alternative for letting us use that neat little auditorium for this concert - in particular Larry Gay, the instructor who spent the day with us in order for us to use the building.) THEY WERE SIMPLY INCREDIBLE!!!
	It was a very informal gathering in this rustic old "academy" style high school. We had 90 chairs set up which were quickly filled. Here I am talking with Cuz Goldian who never misses the "good ones."
	As usual, and much to the dismay of our "regulars", I had a "little" story about our guests to tell prior to letting the anxious audience hear them. It only took Joscho one year to captivate the annual Chet Atkins Appreciation Society (CAAS) convention in Nashville, and he is rapidly closing in on being considered one of the world's best Django Reinhardt style gypsy jazz guitarist. All I wanted to do is make sure the audience understood what thery were about to hear - and, had their seats belts securely fastened before I turned him loose on them... (lol) (Here's an example of what they heard...Lady Be Good.. just click)
	Many thanks to Jerry Blinn of the Worthington Schools maintenance staff for coming in and setting up the spot/flood lights - which added a nice touch to a brilliant performance. And, thanks to local professional guitarist Chaz Mechenbier for setting up his PA system for the concert. Obviously Joscho is one of the fastest single string players in the world having practiced many years the very difficult Django style of guitar playing. However, he proved that he can "wring" some very beautiful slower lines out of his Selmer like custom guitar. Besides the constant clapping, yelping, and screaming during and after each tune - heads were shaking in total disbelief that any human being could be this incredibly talented and polished. A guitar is a very difficult instrument to play properly - Joscho proved that it can be taken even further than the imagination would allow.
	Django Reinhardt's co-star during the heyday of their Hot Club of France was a fabulous classically trained violinist by the name of Stephan Grapelli. As soon as Joscho agreed to come to Columbus I got our local violin virtuoso, Arcadiy Gips, on the phone to invite him to come and jam a few tunes with Joscho. Arcadiy plays an amazing Grapelli style gypsy jazz which he enjoyed sharing with us after the formal concert - making it a true Hot Club of Columbus. THE CROWD WENT WILD!!

Joscho's Website

Give him a listen:
Swing News - Sweet Georgia Brown

Take a look at him on a video clip.