Blending the rhythmic pulse of gypsy jazz and the improvised elegance of American jazz, Franglais will hold a free concert at the Takoma Park Community Center on Feb. 9.
Rhythm guitarist Ben Wood and vocalist Eve Seltzer formed Franglais in 2004 after being inspired by the Django Reinhardt jazz festival in France during their honeymoon. Based in New York City, the couple regularly plays with other musicians and has performed from Paris to Honolulu and cities in between.
No tickets or reservations are required, and donations will be accepted to support the band. You can learn more about Franglais and hear some of their music at franglaisjazz.com.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wood and Seltzer were stuck in their Brooklyn apartment and started recording some jazz duets to cope with their isolation. The songs became their latest album “Pairings” that was recorded and edited by Seltzer, who is a Grammy-nominated sound engineer. Each of the eight songs was paired with a drink in a nod to Wood’s work as a sommelier which also was disrupted by the pandemic shutdowns.
“I grew up in the D.C. area so we’re really looking forward to playing in Takoma Park again,” Wood said.
This concert is part of the Takoma Park Arts series organized by the City of Takoma Park’s Arts and Humanities Division, which includes free concerts, art exhibitions, film screenings, theater, dance, and other performances at the Takoma Park Community Center at 7500 Maple Avenue. Go to takomaparkmd.gov/arts for more info and to sign up for our weekly e-newsletter.