Sébastien Giniaux Trio at the Rite Spot Cafe TONIGHT

Sébastien Giniaux, one of the greatest guitarists in the world, will be playing at the Rite Spot Cafe. If you missed him last year when he came around, man did you ever miss out. Someone got so psyched during his set that he literally flipped–as in did a front flip in a crowded-ass Revolution Cafe. Actually, it was pretty terrifying and I hope that doesn’t happen again, but I’m sure you can think of plenty of other safe ways to show your approval.

He’s visiting from Paris where Django Reinhardt’s Gypsy Jazz music is a way of life, and Sébastien is considered one of the best purveyors of his musical legacy. He will blow your mind with his endless creativity and dazzling technique.

“Well why isn’t he playing Yoshi’s or something?” you ask. Well, he’s TOO GOOD FOR YOSHI’S. Sure, you can go there if you wanna sit with some grey-haired folks out for their monthly let’s-see-some-jazz-honey night on the town. Order some expensive drinks, stroke your chin and grunt with approval in hushed tones if that’s your thing. Or go to the Mission where the best jazz is happening.

Anyway, go to the Rite Spot Cafe tonight from 9pm-11pm. No cover, but bring some tips for the guy. He’s French. Wine and cheese is expensive.

Sebastien Giniaux Quartet at Revolution Cafe tonight

While it’s more popular than ever, Gypsy Jazz is still somewhat of a novelty in the US, mostly enclosed within a festival circuit and core group of acoustic guitar nerds (myself included). In Paris, however, “Jazz Manouche” is a part of the culture. Guitarist Django Reinhardt was one of the very first international European jazz stars, and is highly revered by all generations of French musicians to this day.

Sebastien Giniaux is one of the greatest young guitarists in this style in Paris, and therefore probably one of the best in the world. I’d be hard pressed to think of any world-class guitarist of any style that wouldn’t be blown away by his virtuosic technique and endless improvisational ideas. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform an intimate house concert on Sunday, and he was incredible.

Tonight Seb plays at Revolution Cafe with his quartet from 8:30pm-11:30pm. If you want to see something amazing, stop by, even if it’s just for a couple of tunes.

Here’s a clip of Sebastien (left) playing with another amazing French player, Adrien Moignard: