The Page Brothers performed at the Django Reinhardt Birthday Celebration hosted by the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country on Friday. With Andy Page on guitar and Zach Page on bass, they performed a set of “Hot Club” jazz as a tribute to the late composer. 

The tribute to Django Reinhardt is an annual performance these twin brothers put on at the Appalachian Theatre, with this year being their fourth show. Andy Page wrote that the staff have been extremely supportive of them and their show, even having fans who have attended their show every year. 

“It’s really important to me to share his music with others and do a small part in preserving his legacy,” Andy Page wrote in an email. 

Andy Page wrote that he is heavily inspired by Reinhardt’s spontaneity and creativity when he plays guitar, as well as his drive and fire during his improvisations. 

“One of the life lessons I gleaned through reading about him is to appreciate the reward that music making provides, over any financial or material gains,” Andy Page wrote. 

Andy Page continues to be inspired by other composers such as Pat Metheny, John Scofield and Kurt Rosenwinkel. He wrote that he hasn’t gotten to play his own music much, but hopes to change that. 

The Page Brothers have been playing together for forty years and have had the opportunity to play with many musicians in the region. Andy Page wrote that their name is used with a rotating set of musicians based on the style of music they’re playing. 

“We each play in many different groups as freelancers, but it’s always special to have the opportunity to perform together,” Andy Page wrote. 

The Page brothers were joined on stage by accompanying musicians Steve Trismen and Leo Johnson.

“The main core group included Steve Trismen on violin-we’ve played with him for over 12 years,” Andy Page wrote. “Leo Johnson on guitar is one of the greats in the area for this style-always a treat to play with him.” 

Other than the four core musicians on the stage, the Page Brothers brought in multiple special guests to perform individual songs alongside them. 

Lauren Hayworth, executive assistant at the Hayes School of Music and App State alum, was one of these guests. 

“Lauren Hayworth and I play together every Tuesday night at the Beacon in a trio called Belleville Rendezvous,” Andy Page wrote. 

David Wells, a professor at the Hayes School of Music, accompanied the group on the bassoon for a couple of songs. Pedro Maia, also a professor at the Hayes School of Music, joined Andy Page on the violin in an upbeat duet as well. 

They were joined by Ledah Finck, a violinist and composer based in New York City, toward the end of the show. Andy Page wrote that she just happened to be passing through Boone and decided to perform with them. 

The performance included a backdrop screen with a projected slideshow of multiple pictures honoring Reinhardt. Andy Page wrote that these photos ranged from the late 1920s to the early ‘50s. 

“I picked them out to represent different eras of Django’s career with notable collaborators such as Stephane Grappelli and Duke Ellington,” Andy Page wrote. 

This final tributary act fully rounded out The Page Brothers and App Theatre’s 4th annual birthday celebration of Django Reinhardt.