The arrangement

Ranger and the Re-Arrangers and special guests will play from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Bainbridge Commons to celebrate Django Reinhardt’s birthday. Cost is by donation.

By Connie Mears

Staff Writer

In 1930s Europe, musician Django Reinhardt exhilarated crowds with innovative phrasing of notes on his guitar. His style was so original it inspired a new genre of music known today as Gypsy jazz.

Bainbridge Island musician Ranger Sciacca and his father Michael were already Django fans when they traveled to France in 2006 for the Django Reinhardt Festival.

The pilgrimage fueled their newly formed band, Ranger and the Re-Arrangers, and soon a re-arrangement of the group was playing weekend gigs and festival concerts.

“People are drawn by the sense of joy coming through, the vibrancy attracts them,” Ranger said.

Last year they decided to organize a Django celebration of their own on Bainbridge Island. In its second year, its momentum is building indicated by the handful of notable guest artists who each will share the stage with the Re-Arrangers. A rousing group jam will close the show.

On board so far are guests Neil Anderson on guitar, formerly of Pearl Django, and according to Ranger one of the most respected Gypsy jazz players in the country; Darin Locke on guitar, formerly of Django’s Mustache in Austin, Texas; Chris Laughbon, a Bainbridge Island trombonist; and Gwen Franz, a member of Douce Ambiance on viola.

The guest musicians will join Re-Arrangers bassist Todd Houghton, percussionist Jeffrey Moose and Dave Stewart on mandolin.

Cost is by donation. For more information, visit www.rangerswings.com.