Acoustic artist Gonzalo Bergara is massively influenced by gypsy jazz pioneer Django Reinhardt, he says, but he is no longer confined by the trappings of that, or any other, genre. The man is interested in song and composition, though he’ll still sit in on a jam or perform at Djangofest. He’s at Boulevard Music this weekend, and he told the CCN what he has in store for Culver City…
When did you start playing and performing? When did the band form?
When I was 11, I was given a guitar and an Oscar Aleman tape (Argentinian Jazz Guitarist).
Describe your sound/style?
Django Reinhardt meets Astor Piazzolla.
What are your career highlights so far?
I was picked as best artist in the past 20 years by the Django Reinhardt Samois Sur Seine Festival in France (most important Gypsy Jazz festival in the world). Our third album, Walking Home. was a bestseller on the biggest independent plattform CDbaby during 2012.
What recorded music is available — particularly the most recent?
The latest album was released on Spotify. [It’s called] 9.
Have you performed at Boulevard Music before?
We have performed several times at Boulevard. This time around it’s a very special show because we are playing as a quintet (all the other shows of the tour are as a quartet).
What can the audience expect from the set this time?
We added a cajon [a box-shaped percussion instrument] to be able to play the entire 9 album, just released.
What else do you have coming up?
I am working on a new album for 2023, Acalanto. It will be recorded in Argentina this year.
The Gonzalo Bergara Quintet perform at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 5 at Boulevard Music. Go to boulevardmusic.com for more information about the show.
Elsewhere this week
The Culver Hotel will be hosting the likes of Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys, and Scotty Bramer. Go to culverhotel.com for more info.
There’s a full program of music at the Cinema Bar this week, as usual. The Hot Club of Los Angeles plays every Monday, and Wednesdays are singer/songwriter and open mic night. Other artists performing this week include Bruce Ray White, Rick Shea, and the Healers. Go to thecinemabar.com for more info.