CLEARWATER HOT CLUB

The Clearwater Hot Club is dedicated to preserving the repertoire and instrumentation of the jazz manouche style. This was pioneered by Roma jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Many of the songs played in this group were either performed or written by Django Reinhardt. However, other styles of music such as French musette, Brazilian choro, and eastern European folk music are covered. Here, they are interpreted through the musical lens and technique of the jazz manouche style. In recent years Sam Miltich has written original works of music in the jazz manouche style. Additionally, he lends credence to the music’s roots and traditions while bringing a fresh new voice to it.

The Clearwater Hot Club is true to its name when referencing the word “club”, as the band has a rotating cast of musicians. Since its beginnings in 2000 the Clearwater Hot Club’s primary members have been Sam Miltich (lead guitar) and Matthew Miltich (upright bass).

Sam Miltich is a self-taught jazz guitarist born and raised in the woods of northern Minnesota. Sam burst onto the hot club jazz scene in his teens. Then, he joined Paul Mehling’s Hot Club of San Francisco and toured internationally with the world-renowned Robin Nolan Trio. Sam’s fluid, instinctive sound has graced hundreds of stages, from small Iron Range towns to New York’s Lincoln Center. In addition to fronting his own band, the Clearwater Hot Club, Sam frequently performs solo. Also, he has recorded and performed with many of the Twin Cities’ top jazz artists.