Franglais, a musical duo blending gypsy jazz and American jazz, is set to perform a free concert at the Takoma Park Community Center on Feb. 9.
Formed in 2004 by rhythm guitarist Ben Wood and vocalist Eve Seltzer, Franglais draws inspiration from the Django Reinhardt jazz festival in France. The New York City-based couple has entertained audiences from Paris to Honolulu and various cities in between.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Wood and Seltzer recorded jazz duets in their Brooklyn apartment, resulting in their latest album, “Pairings,” produced and edited by Seltzer, a Grammy-nominated sound engineer. Each of the eight songs in the album is paired with a drink, reflecting Wood’s background as a sommelier, which was also affected 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.
The concert is part of the Takoma Park Arts series, offering diverse cultural events at the Takoma Park Community Center, including free concerts, theater performances, art exhibitions, and film screenings. The event is open to all, with donations welcomed to support the band. More information about Franglais and their music can be found at franglaisjazz.com.
Photo Courtesy of Franglais