SIMBA BAUMGARTNER

Simba Baumgartner’s grandfather was Lousson Baumgartner, Reinhardt’s first born son, who was himself considered a master guitar player although he never recorded.  Simba began playing guitar at age 4 in the purest tradition of his family living the traditional life of a Gypsy in Central France as he learned his great grandfather’s secrets. At age 11, Baumgartner played the “Bal de la Rose” in Monte Carlo for Monaco’s Royal family alongside The Gypsy Kings and Gypsy guitar master, Bireli Lagrene.  In 2017 he headlined the “Festival of Europe” in Bois Le Roi, France, and was chosen as the opening act for the International Django Reinhardt Festival in Samois sur Seine/Fontainebleau which featured Stephane Wrembel, Stochelo Rosenberg, Avishai Cohen, Larry Graham, Bireli Lagrène, Kyle Eastwood, Roberto Fonseca, andTrombone Shorty. He has also performed a tribute to Django Reinhardt with the legendary American jazz saxophonist, James Carter.  Baumgartner performed read more...