Note: Kristi O’Donnell, artist, musician, and conductor of making things happen, sent this to me for publishing. All photos shared by Kristi O’Donnell –Kate
You may not find a sign hanging outside the window or a door to enter when you visit Café Impromptu, but you certainly will hear joyful music and the sound of the audience in applause abounding.
Café Impromptu is a place that invites women, who love the “Hot Club Swing” genre, to play music together. It was founded by Whidbey Island bassist/musician, Kristi O’Donnell, in 2015.
This creation is the result of her attending a late night jam during DjangoFestNW (DFNW) in 2014 in downtown Langley. “I was elated to meet over a dozen women at the jam,” Kristi said. By 2015, she organized the first pop-up Café Impromptu, hosted by Ott & Hunter Winery on First Street, Langley. Participants visiting DFNW in ’15 joined around café tables and street venues all about town.
The concept took hold. By 2016, enough women in the region showed up, via word of mouth invitation and social media. Visiting musicians to the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) DFNW also graced us with their appearance, most notably, Christine Tassan et les Imposteures from Quebec. (They are featured on the main stage at WICA DFNW ‘25 September 19, 2 pm.)
Guitarist/vocalist Christy Lao and violinist Maile Hutchinson, of the “She Swings, She Sings” ensemble, traveled from LA to the DFNW the next couple of years, supporting the concept of Café Impromptu. We created an effervescent atmosphere in the courtyard of the Double Bluff Brewing Co, Langley.
The Café Impromptu concept also attracted musicians from Seattle.
With the addition of guitarist Jennie Mayer and vocalist/accordionist Adrienne Reed, of the Lulu Swing Band in Seattle, we decided to form the regional Café Impromptu Band. (2019)
Since then, we have been invited to play music throughout the PNW at festivals, galas, libraries, museums, jazz walks, garden parties and private events.
This year, in celebration of WICA DFNW’S 25th Anniversary, Café Impromptu plays the Opening Patio Party Wednesday, September 17th, 5:45-7 pm, on the Zech Hall Patio.
Festival goers will be treated to a top-flight energetic and emotive performance of Café Impromptu’s core ensemble featuring rising-star guitarist Lisa Liu, Tobi Stone, reeds, Adrienne Reed, vocals/accordion, Jennie Mayer, guitarist and guest bassist, Sarah Yates. Founder Kristi O’Donnell joins on vocals and as MC, as she invites Sarah to share the bass position. Vocalist Molly Felder returns to Whidbey Island for DFNW to sing with Café Impromptu and The Hot Club of Troy.
This concert is sponsored in part by WICA. Contributions /tips from the audience augment this to pay the band. Refreshments will be available.
Café Impromptu is playing a few additional shows over the span of the weekend:
Cafe Impromptu Celebrates Django! In Concert Friday September 19th 2-3:30pm, Freeland Library 5495 Harbor Ave, Freeland. By reservation. All ages. Contact Mary Beth: (360) 331–7323 or follow the link. Café Impromptu shares the Django Reinhardt story and plays in live performance. Their music is inspired by the work of Romani-Belgian jazz guitarist, Django Rheinhardt, as well as early classics, French chanson, and Bossa Nova. Funded by Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation
Café Impromptu Live! Friday September 19th and Saturday Sept. 20th: Double Bluff Brewing Co., 121 Second Street, Langley, 5-7 pm.Café Impromptu opens the two hour performance, then invites guest vocalists and musicians to join them in the second set. Fun! This is a non ticketed event. The generosity of the audience’s tips augments the house gratuity.
Café Impromptu would like to thank all of the musicians who participate with us, including these local friends from Whidbey Island and nearby:
Roz Honeydew, Jana Szabo, Marceline Keene, Molly Felder & Mickey Grimm, Keith Bowers, Troy Chapman, Yana Viniko, Michael-Paul Gurule, Siri Bardarson, Irene Ypenburg, Janna Kushnerky, the Manieri Jazz Endowment, to name a few. Kudos to all of the venues and patrons who lift us up every time we play! Vita Creativa!
Musicians with Café Impromptu are also leading workshops during DFNW 2025: Karen Iglitzen’s Hot Club Jazz Workshop Wednesday, September 17 at 2–3:50 pm, The Hessler Barn, 2262 Cricket Lane, Freeland WA 98249. Ages 13-18, and also adults, music teachers, professional players. Bowed strings, guitar, woodwinds, trombone, mandolin.To register, contact Karen Iglitzin: 206 913-9929 or karen1957@comcast.net
Lisa Liu: Guitar Workshop: Ideas for soloing and chord voicings over “Sweet Georgia Brown” —Thursday, September 18 at 10 am, Langley United Methodist Church, 301 Anthes Ave. Langley WA 98260. Contact: Lisa Liu http://lisaliuguitar.com/ or mobile: 347-866-8523. Register here.
For Café Impromptu booking information contact: Kristi O’Donnell: kristiowhidbey@gmail.com or 360-969-3275