SoCal band The Idiomatiques combine rock, R&B, Latin, bossa nova, and both traditional and modern jazz into a glorious musical soup. They’ll be performing at Boulevard Music with old friend Benedikt Brydern this weekend, so band member Craig Sharmat told the News about what they have in store for Culver City…
When did you start playing and performing?
The band started about a dozen years ago. I moved up to Santa Barbara from L.A. and had a production music project from Warner Chappell. I thought I might as well get players from Santa Barbara to be on the project. I told my first-call violinist Benedikt Brydern that I was moving to Santa Barbara and he said ‘you have to meet Brian Mann’ (keyboardist and accordionist for Larry Carlton, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald and many others). I was recommended to ask bassist and multi-talented tall guy Kim Collins (still in the band) and Mike Glick (rhythm guitar) whom I met on a gypsy jazz forum, and happened to live in town. After finishing the recordings for Warner Chappell, I asked the guys, ‘is there anything like this in town, and if not, why don’t we corner this niche market?’ Even though Brian, Kim and myself were career musicians, only Mike really had experience with gypsy jazz. We learned as we started playing from that point, and grew a pretty nice local following. Mike eventually couldn’t make rehearsals or gigs as he became the full time care-giver for a family member but we all still play together at times and remain great friends! Brian had to take a break from the band during the pandemic, so we recruited Frank Petrilli for accordion. Ray Bergstrom became our second guitarist, and he and I share leads and rhythm. Frank and Ray have been full-time members for the last several years.
Describe your sound/style?
Certainly very Django Reinhardt-gypsy jazz influenced, but being that all of us are longtime SoCal residents and straight-ahead jazzers, we mix up our style with modern swing, waltzes, R&B, and ethereal inflections along with occasional vocal harmony tunes. Kind of like a three ring circus. I think it comes from being a carnival barker in Vegas (kidding).
What are your career highlights so far?
Well, this interview is near the top! Seriously, we always appreciate press so thanks for doing this! This past September, we performed at Djangofest Northwest in Washington state, which is the most prestigious gypsy jazz festival in the U.S. It was an honor to play alongside some of the greats of the genre from around the world. We have also performed for several Central Coast’s Jazz Societies as featured artists. We were featured at the Millpond Festival in Bishop a couple of times, but mostly like to stay local for family and personal reasons.
What recorded music is available — particularly the most recent?
We have three albums out, the most recent being Indigo Nocturne which features our current lineup. It also has Benedikt Brydern on violin as a guest artist. Benedikt is featured on all three of the Idiomatiques’ albums, so it seemed natural for us to do a double billing with him at this upcoming Boulevard Music event. By the way, long-time supporter David Volk came up with the idea for this show. Here is a promo for the album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTlawcgNR9o
Have you performed at Boulevard Music before?
Bene has played at Boulevard a number of times, and has used both Frank and Ray as members of his band. The Idiomatiques have played a few L.A. venues: Bogies, Vitellos… are either of these around anymore? Maybe we are helping to shut them down.
What can the audience expect from the set this time?
Benny Brydern will start the show with a selection of classic gypsy swing, reminiscent of the style of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli’s original Hot Club. The Idios’ (for short) set will be diverse, featuring original and classic gypsy jazz tunes (some real burners) in a cornucopia of styles, as with all our albums.
What else do you have coming up?
We have some private events, but our next concert is at The Crazy J Ranch in Topanga on April 6. Hopefully they are safe. At this point, that’s our last scheduled performance in the L.A. area.
The Idiomatiques and Benedikt Brydern perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 1 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 Ginger Merkin with Imperial and Prairie, Captain Danger, and Coyote Moon. Go to thecinemabar.com for more info.