During the week of June 9-15, Northampton’s “Django in June” again plays host to world class artists and avid amateurs with a shared passion for the musical tradition associated with pioneering jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. What began in 2004 as a small, single day event now spans a week, with over 200 attendees from around the world filling the dorms and grounds of Smith College with a joyful noise that goes by many names: “Gypsy jazz”, “hot jazz”, “jazz manouche”, “Sinti Swing.” At week’s end, the artists on staff take the stage at the historic Academy of Music in Northampton for two nights to offer the general public a sampling of Django Jazz at its best. Each night is a different show, and each features two acts.
Friday, June 13th
Eva Slongo, Jimmy Grant and Sam Farthing
Joscho Stephan
Our 2025 concerts open with Eva Slongo, Jimmy Grant and Sam Farthing. Swiss-born violinist Eva Slongo earned both concert and teaching diplomas in classical violin at conservatory in Switzerland followed by jazz studies with Pierre Blanchard and later Didier Lockwood. She is also a fine jazz vocalist and, by now, a well-established figure on the European jazz manouche scene. She’ll be joined for this performance by two guitarists, Jimmy Grant and Sam Farthing. Jimmy hails from California and is well-known as a teacher, player and now organizer of his own Gypsy jazz camp on the West Coast. Sam, for his part, is a young, Baltimore-based guitar virtuoso whose style reflects that of the Dutch Sinti masters with whom he has stayed and studied.
The second set of the evening welcomes German wunder-guitarist Joscho Stephan back to the Django in June stage for the first time in 10 years. With his rich tone, harmonic refinement, rhythmic flair and breathtaking solo technique, Stephan has established himself in the international guitar scene far beyond the usual circuit of Gypsy jazz festivals and venues. In addition to his novel interpretations of the classics of “our” genre, Joscho stands out by combining jazz manouche with unexpected repertoire drawn from Latin, classical and pop music.
Saturday, June 14th
Don Stiernberg and Evan Price
Paulus Schäfer, Tcha Limberger, Dave Kelbie and Vilmos Csikos
A professional musician for 50 years, Don Stiernberg’s early trajectory led him from fan, to student, then bandmate of the great Jethro Burns. For decades since, he has been a leading exponent of jazz mandolin, gigging and teaching across the country. He’ll be joined by violinist Evan Price. An accomplished player of various non-classical genres, Evan won early acclaim as a contest fiddler, and later acclaim as a member of both the Turtle Island Quartet and The Hot Club of San Francisco.
We close our 2025 concerts with a power quartet of musicians drawn from 4 different countries. Dutch guitarist Paulus Schäfer was born into a Sinti (Gypsy) community that included superb musical mentors and models—a role he now plays for countless others at his own Sinti jazz guitar camp in The Netherlands and beyond. The incomparable Tcha Limberger (on guitar, violin and vocals) was born among Sinti musical royalty as well, but in Bruges, Belgium. A familiar figure on the Django in June stage, Tcha brings spontanaiety, humor, and technical brilliance to whatever he plays, whether drawn from family tradition, Hungarian Magyar Nota or Tin Pan Alley. Double bassist Vilmos Csikos, born in Budapest, has joined forces with Tcha in a number of projects and has played with the greats of Hungarian Gypsy music such as Jaroka Sandor, Boross Lajos and Robi Lakatos. Finally, joining us from London, England, Dave Kelbie will provide rhythm guitar as he has for many of the world’s most celebrated Gypsy jazz soloists, including Fapy Lafertin and Angelo Debarre.
This event is participating in the Card to Culture Program! They will be offering 10 seats in the upper balcony at a discounted price of $10 to any patrons with a valid EBT, WIC, or ConnectorCare card. To purchase these tickets, please visit or call the box office Tuesday through Friday between 3:00pm and 6:00pm. Limit 4 tickets per cardholder per show. Tickets are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. Find out more at: https://massculturalcouncil.org/organizations/card-to-culture/
Fees always apply to purchase. Tickets can be purchased in person or over the phone Tuesday through Friday 3pm to 6pm. Tickets can also be purchased online at any time for no additional cost/fee. All Sales are final. If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact the box office at boxoffice@aomtheatre.com or (413) 584-9032 X105.
Show Date/Time:
Friday, June 13th, 2025 at 7:30pm and Saturday, June 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm
Doors at 7:00 pm
Ticket Prices:
$20.00 – $50.00 ($25.16 – $57.90 after fees)
Where/ How Tickets Can be Purchased:
Purchase online using the button on the top or bottom of the page. You can also visit or call our box office at 413-584-9032 ext.105.
Box Office Hours are 3pm – 6pm, Tuesday – Friday. Service fees always apply with purchase.