Veteran guitarist LUKE HENDON and his group will perform at The Packing House on
January 23rd, 2026, celebrating the anniversary of Django Reinhardt’s birthday. You can
expect to hear some Gypsy jazz standards in Reinhardt’s honor, but also original,
modern music that gives nods to his influence. Reinhardt was an innovator of his time
and the group will strive to bring that spirit into the present.
Hendon has studied Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz around the world and is well
versed in the techniques and nuances in the style. Hendon has an album called Silk and
Steel, that he recorded shortly after studying in the Netherlands with Sinti guitarists,
Paulus Schafer and Fapy Lafertin.
The album was Hendon’s initial modern take on Django’s style. Jazz Scene magazine
says that it is “beautifully performed and every note counts.” Jazz Profiles Says it’s “an
homage to Django’s influence accompanied by Luke’s statement of independent
creativity.” And The New York City Jazz Record states that “Hendon’s take on the style
is to inject some very modern energy along with judiciously placed non-jazz undertones.
That’s the crucial difference between maintaining and enriching a legacy.”
Hendon has performed around the world, opened for legendary acts like Al Green, Sun
Ra, and Los Lobos, composed and recorded for TV and film, worked with dance
ensembles, cruise ships, theatre companies and bands. He founded Goodfoot, which
took the Dallas, Texas area by storm in the nineties. He’s also been a session guitar
player on pop, funk, blues, folk, rock, jazz, and world music in a plethora of settings.
Hendon is excited to return to the packing house and hopes to stretch out even more,
exploring the spirit of innovation while celebrating the birthday of one of his heroes,
Django Reinhardt.
Join us for an amazing evening of gypsy jazz and original works and arrangements by
this outstanding artist! This program is hosted by the “Eastern Connecticut Center for
History, Art, and Performance” (EC-CHAP). Doors 6:30pm / Show 7:30pm. Tickets
$25.00 (+fees) Advance (Online) / $30.00 Door. 10% Discount at the door for HJS
Members.
Soft drinks and snacks available. We are pleased to offer our exclusive “BYOB&F” TM
model – Bring Your Own Beverage & Food (Wine & Beer Only – I.D. Required). You can
also bring your paid ticket to Willington Pizza House (or WP Too) for eat-in or take-out
the night of the show and receive 15% off your meal purchase. Ask for “The Packing
House” pizza! Click HERE for secret recipe.
For more information about this performance, please visit The Packing House or call
518-791-9474.
