The first day, I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to make it. Between emails from Transavia asking me to give up my seat, a two-hour line just to check my bag, and barely getting to the gate in time… it was a close one.Luckily, I’ve developed a deep fear of missing flights over the years, so I always show up extra early ✈️ If you’ve never been to Grappelli-Django Camp, I can’t recommend it enough. Tim Kliphuisbrings together incredible musicians and teachers—and just as importantly, people who are genuinely great to be around. That combination creates such a positive atmosphere for both students and faculty. It’s truly a win-win. It’s always a privilege and an honor to share the music of Django Reinhardt with so many wonderful people, both in Europe and the US 🇺🇸 If getting to Europe feels like too much, and you’re experiencing a little FOMO—Tim, Adrien Chevalier, and I are hosting the first US edition of Grappelli-Django Camp at the Ashokan Center in Olive Bridge, NY, February 20–22. It was also an honor to share the stage with Reinier Voet for a few tunes. One of the very first solos I ever transcribed (almost 20 years ago!) was “Some Of These Days” played by Jimmy Rosenberg, featuring a rhythm section with two people I’m lucky to now call friends—Simon Planting and Reinier Voet.

Hey everyone, I have a new single out today! Back in 2020, during the pandemic, I started studying guitar online with Hungarian Gypsy guitarist Csabi Olah 🇭🇺. We only did a handful of lessons, but they were incredibly inspiring and opened a new door for me musically. Around that time, I became deeply interested in Hungarian Gypsy jazz through two records:🎧 Tziganskaïa – Matelo Ferret🎧 Gypsy Guitars – Angelo Debarre, Serge Camps & Frank Anastasio Through this music, I discovered the legendary guitarist Kosta Lukacs, who sadly passed away years ago. His playing revealed an entire jazz guitar world I had never heard before. In 2023, I finally made it to Budapest, spending several days with Csabi and soaking in the local music scene 🇭🇺✨ This piece is a composition by Kosta Lukacs — a beautiful etude he used to teach his students. https://open.spotify.com/track/4nAYbne8JyPwNjhbzXB58Q?si=4d0594615781418f The single is now available on all streaming platforms 🎵Enjoy!

I’m breaking down one of Django’s classic licks from “Dinah.” This is one I hear a lot of players struggle with, so I take it slow and step by step. We also zoom in on the right-hand technique, because that’s usually the missing piece with this type of phrase. Jump in, try it out, and post your questions (or a clip!) in the comments — that’s what this space is for.

I recently pulled up this waltz I used to play by Wasso Grunholz, known as Valse De Wasso! I've been obsessing over his compositions the last few days. I find it incredible that one guitarist who never recorded anything, still has managed to leave a legacy.