Joscho Stephan and Tommy Emmanuel: As Hot as it Gets

Having trouble waking up this morning?

This video at 8 am was the equivalent of 4 cups of espresso for me!

German guitarist Joscho Stephan, who may be the fastest gun on the gypsy jazz guitar,

teams up on stage with legendary guitarist Tommy Emmanuel at an event called Leverkusener jazztage 2012

On the history of the festival

“In 1978, joined together members of a popular high school course on the history of jazz and founded the first jazz club in Leverkusen, with the aim to promote jazz music, and to establish itself as an integral part of the cultural scene of Leverkusen.

In 1980, the city celebrated its 50th Leverkusen Birthday and called on all clubs toparticipate in the festival. So the first Jazz Festival in Leverkusen has been produced with support from the City and the Ministry of Culture NRW.

A large number of volunteers assisted the organization and running of this first Leverkusen Jazz Days. The overwhelming power of audience left no doubt perform the festival in the following years. To facilitate the organization of the Leverkusen Jazz Festival Association was founded.

The Jazz Festival evolved over the past 26 years into a national and international event. It is recognized that the festival is inspired for the cultural life in Leverkusen and the entire region. The Jazz Festival now represent one of the biggest jazz events in German-speaking represents more than 20,000 visitors flock each year to the city. For one week in November Leverkusen is thus the focus of the international jazz scene.

Renowned and pioneering jazz musicians performed over the years on: including Ray Charles, BB King, Al Jarreau, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Johnny Guitar Watson, Gerry Mulligan, Bill Frisell, Jack DeJohnette, Nigel Kennedy, The Manhattan Transfer, Level 42, Marianne Faithfull, Lester Bowie, Dave Brubeck, Albert Mangelsdorff, Art Blakey, Chet Baker, EST, Memphis Slim, Junior Wells, Jan Garbarek, Brecker Brothers, Robert Cray, Miriam Makeba, Taj Mahal, Van Morrison, Paco de Lucia, John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, Charles Lloyd, Joshua Redman, Kool & the Gang, Buena Vista Social Club, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, Gato Barbieri, the Leningrad Cowboys and many more.  read more

Seems like they’ve had just about everyone there over the years and a great festival to attend if you are in Germany, but I’ve read that they also hold festivals in other countries as well.

As far as our two guitarist on stage, Tommy is mostly playing rhythm guitar on this song but does chime in with a harmony part here or there. But the playing is so hot that I was waiting for their guitars to catch on fire.

I didn’t have time to check, but does anyone know the title of this song? I’ve heard it a million times and can’t remember…