David Stevenson

David had guitar lessons as a child, but really began learning on his own as a teenager. He was a music major at Santa Monica College, studying theory and counterpoint with Rule Beasley (graduated 1983). David studied jazz guitar with Jon Sachs in Venice, CA. Musical influences include Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt, Bireli Lagrene, Wawau Adler, and Tchavolo Schmitt, among others.

Composition and improvisation have been a constant and continual emphasis through the years. David played in prog and fusion bands in Los Angeles before retreating to Washington State in the mid-1980's, to focus primarily upon solo guitar composition.

David seriously began a study of the Manouche (gypsy) music tradition in 2000. Then, upon relocating near York, PA, he began playing gypsy jazz with others and formed Hot Club du Jour in 2003. His current goals center around the continued study of Django's music and jazz improvisation.

David holds a position with the Baltimore City Public Schools as a multi-sensory therapist and produces multi-media and music for children with disabilities.

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Ryck Kaiser

Ryck studied with classical violinist Joyce Pollard for four years in the 1980's and is otherwise self taught. His influences include Stephane Grappelli, David Grisman, Darol Anger, Jerry Garcia, Johannes Brahms, Kevin Burke, Tommy Jarrell, and Buddy Thomas. He has played Appalachian string band music, Celtic fiddle tunes, and performed for three years with the Yard Dawgz, a Cajun band. Ryck currently plays Irish music with singer/guitarist Jamie O'Brien. In the early 80's, through the recordings of David Grisman, Ryck discovered Stephane Grappelli's music and, after attending several of his concerts, became a lifelong fan. While pursuing a career in fiddling, on the side he studied and practiced hot club jazz casually until meeting David Stevenson in 2005, at which point he began to immerse himself in hot club jazz.

Ryck has released an album of Americana music, and recently has completed the construction of a recording studio in his home, where Hot Club du Jour currently records. His goal is to introduce hot club jazz to more people and help build a fan base. "I enjoy gypsy jazz. It is interesting and challenging to play. Every time I pick up the violin it's a new adventure. I strive to play beautiful and exciting music."

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Ernie Pugliese

Ernie is a self taught player and after his teen year garage band exploits, guitar playing was relegated to hobby status by a 30 year business career. After a "Right Sized" retirement, he had more time to devote to one of his passions, Jazz Guitar. He has played around the Delaware Valley with a number of jazz groups and counts among his favorite improvisational influences, Pat Martino and Jim Hall. Ernie, in the late 90s wrote for Jazz Improv Magazine and The Green Mountain Jazz Messenger. Through his reviews and interviews, he had the opportunity to meet and spend quality time with many of his jazz idols. His recent interest in the rhythm masters of the Big Bands and Swing Ensembles led him to Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli's music of the 30s and 40s.

Hot Club Du Jour provides the platform not only to improvise but focus on the driving, vibrant "Pompe" rhythm style so prevalent in the Gipsy Jazz and Swing genres. For Ernie, HCDJ's repertoire is not exclusively a Creative outlet, but playing live with them is pure joy and fun. All while moving the audience to participate in infectious toe tapping, finger snapping and head bobbing.

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Victor d'Asure

I love playing Gypsy jazz. It allows me to stretch out but retains a strong pulse that drives the music and creates a very exciting feel. I've been a musician all my life, starting on guitar, mandolin and autoharp. I started playing bass in high school, and took up the cello in college. I have classical training on guitar, cello, and piano but ended my classical studies when I realized my love is in playing by ear and more Americana roots styles.

I bought my upright bass in my early twenty's and after playing a few notes my wife said, "Why did you buy that thing?". Well I worked at it and slowly got more proficient. I'm mainly a roots player but because of my musical training, playing jazz charts is a lot of fun. I'm honored to be playing with such a talented group of musicians like Ryck, David, and Ernie. We have good chemistry together and have a great time playing gypsy jazz.

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