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Paul Mehling

Paul Mehling is a San Francisco guitarist, violinist, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, arranger, and educator who founded the Hot Club of San Francisco.

GuitarViolin and bassBandleaderArranger and educator7 current shows

Photo source · Official artist media

Career Overview

About Paul Mehling

The Hot Club of San Francisco's official player biography traces Mehling's Bay Area upbringing, early traditional-jazz and swing work, study of Django-style guitar in Europe, and 1989 move to San Francisco. It identifies guitar, violin, bass, vocals, and leadership among his roles.[1]

The biography follows the Hot Club through its own label, international touring, educational videos, and fifteen recordings. The official catalog spans the 1990s debut through Postcards from Gypsyland, John, Paul, George & Django, and the all-original 2024 album Original Gadjo.[1][2][3]

Ensembles and Career Threads

Bands & Projects

Founder, leader, guitarist, violinist, arranger, and producer

Hot Club of San Francisco

Mehling founded the San Francisco ensemble and has guided its recordings and American approach to the Django Reinhardt tradition.[1][2]

Teacher and video author

Django-style guitar instruction

Instructional videos first issued in 1995

The official biography documents Mehling's two rhythm-and-solo instructional courses for Homespun Tapes.[1]

Musical director, arranger, and performer

Cinema Vivant and staged programs

The band's media and touring archive documents silent-film accompaniment and other thematic programs alongside its concert work.[4][1]

Selected, Not Exhaustive

Recordings to Know

2005 · Hot Club Records

Postcards from Gypsyland

Hot Club leader, guitarist, violinist, arranger, and producer

The official catalog presents a thirteen-track program combining originals, tangos, waltzes, standards, and Reinhardt repertoire.[1][2]

Release details

2016

John, Paul, George & Django

Hot Club leader, guitarist, arranger, and producer

The limited-edition release recasts Beatles songs through the Hot Club of San Francisco's string-centered swing language.[2]

Release details

2024

Original Gadjo

Hot Club leader, solo guitarist, vocalist, co-producer, and composer

The band's fifteenth album is an all-original program crediting Mehling on solo guitar, banjo, vocals, production, and compositions.[3][2]

Release details

Artist-Authorized Destinations

Start Listening

Original Gadjo on Bandcamp

Hear the complete all-original Hot Club album with personnel, composition, and production credits.

Official Hot Club media archive

Watch and hear Mehling in concert, staged, educational, and ensemble selections curated by the band.

Official YouTube channel

Watch performances and project videos published through Mehling's Hot Club artist channel.

Live Calendar

Upcoming Jazz DateBook Shows

Mon, Aug 24, 8:00 PM

Le Jazz Hot Quartet Plays Every 2nd & 4th Monday At Local Edtion (sf,ca) at Local Edition

Local Edition · San Francisco

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Mon, Aug 24, 8:00 PM

Le Jazz Hot Quartet Plays Every 2nd & 4th Monday At Local Edtion (sf,ca) at Local Edition

Local Edition · San Francisco

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Thu, Aug 27, 5:00 PM

Le Jazz Hot Power Trio Plays Every Second & Fourth Thursday At The Grove at The Grove

The Grove · san francisco

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Thu, Aug 27, 5:00 PM

Le Jazz Hot Power Trio Plays Every Second & Fourth Thursday at The Grove

The Grove · san francisco

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Thu, Sep 10, 5:00 PM

Le Jazz Hot Power Trio Plays Every Second & Fourth Thursday At The Grove at The Grove

The Grove · san francisco

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Thu, Sep 10, 6:00 PM

Le Jazz Hot Power Trio Plays Every Second Thursday At The Grove at The Grove

The Grove · san francisco

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Mon, Sep 14, 8:00 PM

Le Jazz Hot Quartet Plays Every 2nd & 4th Monday At Local Edtion (sf,ca) at Local Edition

Local Edition · San Francisco

Show details

Sources

Career copy is original synthesis from the artist, label, and project sources below. Current dates come from Jazz DateBook event inventory.

  1. [1] Official player biography and band history

    Hot Club of San Francisco

  2. [2] Official album catalog and track lists

    Hot Club of San Francisco

  3. [3] Original Gadjo audio, personnel, and production credits

    Hot Club of San Francisco

  4. [4] Official portrait and performance archive

    Hot Club of San Francisco