Performer:

Founded by Adrien Chevalier (violin - New York) and Ben Creighton Griffiths (harp - Cardiff) in 2013 on the sunny French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, the Transatlantic Hot Club specialises in the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli but on the harp and violin - a combination in this style of music not easily found anywhere else in the world. Touring across Europe, USA, and the French Caribbean - the Transatlantic Hot Club presents their core repertoire alongside swing jazz, latin jazz, French chanson, and traditional European folk music. Their flexible ensemble has included an enviable roster of international musicians keeping their tours unique year on year for their audiences.

The History
The Transatlantic Hot Club was formed by Ben Creighton Griffiths (Harp) and Adrien Chevalier (Violin) in 2013 when they met whilst both performing at ‘Journées de la Harpe’ - a harp festival on the French Caribbean islands of Martinique, Guyane, Guadeloupe, St Anne, and St Lucia. The following year they began an annual tradition of performing in Cardiff and have been expanding this into a full tour ever since. In 2019 they adopted the Transatlantic Hot Club name.

Musicians who have performed in the Transatlantic Hot Club line up include - Tatiana Eva-Marie (vocals), Ashley John Long (bass), Don Sweeney (bass/guitar), Philip Ambuel (bass), Julian Smith (Bass), Vincent Simonelli (guitar), John Dufosse (bass), Alex Gilson (bass), Edouard Pennes (bass), Adrien Tarraga (guitar), Neil Saidi (reeds), Jeremy Lohier (accordion), Jean Marie Giannelli (bass), Charly Menasse (drums), Tara Minton (vocals), Irene Serra (vocals), Abe Pollack (bass), and James Robbins (bass).

As well as returning to the French Caribbean in 2016 and 2022, the Hot Club has performed extensively in the UK including at venues such as Acapela Studios (Pentyrch), Le Quecumbar (London), Insole Court (Cardiff), Ludlow Assembly Rooms, and Pavilions (Teignmouth). They have performed at a number of jazz clubs in the UK including Aberjazz (Fishguard), Brecon Jazz Club, Spice Jazz Soho at Crazy Coqs (London), Speakeasy Jazz (Portishead), Guildford Jazz Club, and Black Mountain Jazz Club (Abergavenny). Festival appearances in the UK include Aberjazz Festival (Fishguard), Django in the Bay (Rutland), Brecon Online Jazz Festival, Edinburgh International Harp Festival, Wales Harp Festival (Caernarfon), and the World Harp Congress (Cardiff).

In France they have performed at the Camac Space and Le Piano Vache in Paris, and at the Conservatoire Zino Franscescatti (La Ciotat) and Le Lido (St Raphael) in the South. In Corsica they have performed at Spaziu Culturale Natale Rochiccioli (Cargese), the CNCM VOCE Auditorium of Pigna, and Spaziu Edmond Simeoni (Lumio). In the USA they have performed at the American Harp Society National Conference (2024, Orlando), and at a number of venues in New York City including St Mazie's Jazz Club, The Keep Brooklyn, Centurion Lounge, Motto Chelsea, and Linden's.

In 2023 they recorded their first album at Zoot Studios in Paris which is now available. Their second album was recorded in the UK in 2025 and will be released during their 2026 UK and Corsican tours.