The gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt And The Hot Club Of France has been inherited by the Ferre Brothers -- Boulou (born 1951) and Elios (born 1956). The sons and nephews of ex-Reinhardt accompanists, the Ferres take their role seriously, continuing to evolve the tradition they inherited. Their 1998 album, "New York New York", features their playing on electric guitar for the first time.

A graduate of the Conservatoire National in Paris, Boulou Ferre has been attracting attention with his guitar virtuosity since early childhood. Starting to play the six-stringed instrument at the age of seven, he made his recording debut a year later, accompanying French singer Jean Ferret. Despite his young age, it was obvious Ferre had a natural affinity for the guitar.The A&R man was so impressed that he offered the youngster a four year record deal. Ferre released his debut album, "Bluesette", at the tender age of twelve. The following year, he played with John Coltrane at the Antilles-Juan Les Pins Jazz Festival. Ferre recorded his breakthrough album, "Jazz/Left Bank". In a review of the album, "Downbeat" wrote, "his attack is percussive-he plays fiercely and intensely, sounding sure of himself-quite articulate and he possesses excellent technique".

Like his older brother, Elios Ferre is Conservatoire National graduate. Ferre, whose early interests were in flamenco guitar playing, performed his debut concert at the age of thirteen. He succumbed to his brothers' pushing him towards jazz two years later.

During the early to mid-1970s, the Ferre brothers worked seperately. While Boulou played with Dexter Gordon and T-Bone Walker during their tours of France and became a member of Dizzy Gillespie's quartet, Elios accompanied Larry Coryell with his warm chordal patterns and basslines. The two brothers began to collaborate in 1978. Their debut album as a duo, "Pour Django", was released the following year. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi