Born in Madrid Spain, Javi Jiménez has been playing and studying guitar for over 25 years. In 2007, after graduating from the Conservatory of Jazz Music in Barcelona, Spain, Javi performed all over Europe. During this time, he discovers the music of Django Reinhardt, falls in love with it, and starts studying it. In 2010 Javi arrived in California and has been performing & working as a studio musician and teaching music. He composes, arranges and performs in his own band Barrio Manouche – A Blend of flamenco, gypsy jazz and latin rhythms. The band recently played at the Monterey Jazz Festival and Stern Grove Festival.

Ross Howe grew up in the Bay Area and was heavily influenced by the vibrant local music scene. In his early 20’s he discovered the music of Django Reinhardt and fell in love with it. Ross started playing Piano at the age of 8 and then turned to cello at 11. By the time he turned 12 has started playing guitar and has been in love with it ever since. His style of playing incorporates elements of classical tradition with the vocabulary of contemporary jazz, and gypsy jazz Manouche music, while always maintaining respect of the jazz guitar traditions and it’s forefathers, particularly the immortal Django Reinhardt. When not composing, playing or teaching guitar, Ross spends as much time as possible surfing and racing sailboats. Ross tries to breathe a bit of fresh air into the art of improvised music through contemporary aesthetics that he hopes his audience will find refreshing.