It was at a screening of Woody Allen’s movie “Sweet and Lowdown,” that locally-grown guitarist, Sam Miltich, heard the music of the late gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt for the first time. The combination of acoustic instruments, driving rhythm, and the swing feel sounded like a melding of his favorite music genres into one. Since then, he has built and impressive career in the north woods of Minnesota playing regularly as a soloist and with his band the Clearwater Hot Club.

Vocalist, Charmin Michelle, is a frequent collaborator with Miltich. She is a charismatic chanteuse whose conversational style recalls the late Billie Holiday and other legendary ladies of jazz. A savvy songstress, Michelle puts her own imprint on a melody, while always staying respectful to the singer who first inhabited it.

Reif Center, Ives Studio Theater
Tickets: $15