Sam Miltich, lead guitar
Matthew Miltich, bass
Mark Kreitzer, rhythm guitar
Often Featuring:
Tony Balluff, clarinet;
Connie Evingson, vocal;
Patrick Harison, accordion;
Robb Henry, guitar;
Dave Karr, saxophone;
Olivier Manchon, violin
Paul Miltich, rhythm guitar;
Tom Schaefer, violin;
Don Vidal, saxophone
Influences
Django Reinhardt, Lester Young, Carl Kress, Norman Blake, Doc Watson, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Jacob do Bandolim, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Jerry Jeff Walker
Sam Miltich and his father, Matthew, have been performing since Sam first learned to play the guitar at age 13. The Clearwater Hot Club was formally put together in the summer of 2003. The following November their first album, "Sammo: The Clearwater Hot Club" was released. After playing throughout the midwest and the United States, the group released a second CD in 2005 entitled "May Rain." Since that time, the Clearwater Hot Club has toured in the United States, Canada and Japan including appearances at Django Fest Northwest and the 1st Annual Ginza International Jazz Festival in Tokyo, Japan. Sam (lead guitarist) and Matthew Miltich (bassist) lead the group with Mark Kreitzer and Paul Miltich playing rhythm guitars. Other soloists extraordinaire join the Clearwater Hot Club including Don Vidal (saxophone), Dave Karr (saxophone), Tom Schaefer (violin), Olivier Manchon (violin), and Tony Balluff (clarinet).
Sam Miltich grew up in norhern Minnesota in a musical family. Gatherings in the Miltich home bring family and friends together to play music and sing. Sam has played music from a young age starting on the piano, learning to read and write music, then playing bass and tuba for his school's band. At age 14, Sam began to study the guitar seriously.
At age 15, Sam heard Django Reinhardt's music in Woody Allen's "Sweet and Lowdown" and knew he would dedicate his life to the music of Django Reinhardt and the art of the gypsy jazz guitar. Sam has played throughout the country as well as Holland, Germany, and Japan. He toured with David Grisman and the Stephane Wremble Trio in 2006 on Amoeba Music's "Gypsy Caravan." Sam played at Lincoln Center in New York City as a member of the Robin Nolan Trio at a concert honoring Django with international musicians. Sam has also toured with Paul Mehling's Hot Club of San Francisco. Sam has shared the stage and bill with such great artists as the Ferre' Brothers, Angelo DeBarre, Dorado Schmitt, Fapy Lafertin, Ludovic Beier, Samson Schmitt, and Ken Pepolowski.
Matthew Miltich plays string bass along with son, Sam, in The Clearwater Hot Club. Matthew grew up listening to the swing music his father played as well as to Doc Evans, Count Bassie, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, and others. He also loved the tamburitza music of his Croatian heritage. In gypsy jazz he’s discovered what seems to be the perfect blend of stringed instruments with jazz rhythms and melodies. He’s an admirer of the great Ray Brown as well as jazz bassists Ron Carter and John Clayton. Matthew lives in northern Minnesota, a life-long resident of the north woods.
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
Check out our new Album: Resist Temptation Available on Amazon. com and iTunes. com Now!! Gypsy Jazz at it's finest. Consists of new original songs and amazing cover songs by the likes of The Band, Velvet Underground, Tom Waits, Steely Dan and more!
