Tchavolo Schmitt

Tchavolo Schmitt is almost a legend, both locally and for lovers of Gypsy swing, despite the fact he has recorded very little music and has never tried to carve out a career for himself.

Those who had the chance to hear him in the '70s playing gypsy waltzes in the bistros around the Puce still remember the occasions. His performances — and he played with virtually all Django's emulators — were to leave their mark on a whole generation of guitarists enthralled by the style.

He was born in Paris in 1954 into a family of musicians and took up the guitar around the age of six.

His name was known in wider circles from the time he took part in the Darmstadt Musikfest der Zigeuner (where he brought the house down) and through recordings that attested to his amazing performances. Tchavolo found himself playing alongside the violinists of the time, Schnuckenack Reinhardt, Schmitto Kling and Wedeli Kohler. Kohler took him on board his group, the Hot Club Da Sinti, and they toured for several months and made a recording.

However Tchavolo vanished from professional circuits and returned in Strasbourg where he settled in 1979. Having traveled there for a party with his two brother, he ended up staying there doing the round in small bars, giving some concerts for associations. He played with his friend-musicians of Strasbourg such as Patrick Perez and brothers Mandigo and Sony Reinhardt, or those passing through, like Bireli Lagrène, Dorado or Stochello Rosenberg. During all these years he just selected a few events to participate in: the Garnier Opéra in 1992, the Route Tsigane at the Villette, the Gypsy Swing Festival in Angers.

His career took a new turn with his participation in the Tony Gatlif movies Latcho Drom and Swing, which is inspired by his life. He started recording albums under his own name with Alors? Voilà! in 2000 and released Loutcha in 2005. —Courtesy Calabash Music