artist Deanna Knight

Vancouver's Hot Club of Mars has been swinging for a few spins around the sun — a dozen earth years or so — though things really started heating up when performance songwriter, Deanna "D" Knight landed on the red planet in 2002. The lovely and talented chanteuse "D" adds a magic sparkle that really brings these wonderful old tunes to life with style, power and grace. And she writes her originals with as much depth and pizzazz as when she delivers them!

Between them the group encompasses over a century of performing experience. Acoustic bassist Charlie Knowles "kicks the cat" with finesse while guitarist Steve "Bugzy" Szabo keeps the rhythms chugging. Martian Ambassador Michael Dunn and new arrival Don Kellett spin their sweet Djangoesque lines on lead slide and guitars, and resident windgod Mark Dowding, keeps those Martian desert winds blowing hot. The newest Martian import, violinist Tom Neville, channels the spirit of the late great Stephane Grappelli rounding out the sound to a full acoustic orchestra of roots jazz.

This high-energy 7-piece inspires swing dancing in a variety of settings from jazz and folk festivals to dance halls and night clubs. As a bonus for festivals, several of the players are experienced workshop facilitators and everyone is a skilled and confident improviser. Luthier and lead guitarist Michael Dunn is well known for his mentoring of young players and his knowledge of gypsy-jazz and Maccaferri guitars. His skills are always a hit in a more intimate workshop setting. Multi-instrumentalist, Mark Dowding and Don Kellet's versatility and teaching experience are also popular in a teaching style workshop.

The band's 2005 release — Gypsy Fire captures the fun loving spirit D & the Hot Club of Mars has to share and includes 2 originals from Deanna... who's vocals are well at home in this genre. 2012 will see a new CD for the full 7 piece.