About the Transatlantic Hot Club
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.
October 2025
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.
October 2025
Founders Biographies
Adrien Chevalier - ViolinBorn in Provence, South of France, into a family of violinists, Adrien Chevalier began his musical education at the Avignon Classical Conservatory, where he studied for 12 years before moving to Paris: there he developed his passion for Gypsy jazz and Eastern European music. He created Pad Brapad, a musical ensemble specializing in Balkan folklore, with whom he performed all over Europe, participating in the most renowned Word Music festivals. Adrien Chevalier then settled down in the French capital and joined the Grüss Circus orchestra, while also studying at the CMDL jazz school with master violinist Didier Lockwood.
His artistic collaboration with Tatiana Eva-Marie inspired him to move to New York City where he co-founded the Avalon Jazz Band with her as well as the Hot Club of New York. Since then he has been at the forefront of the New York jazz scene performing at many prestigious clubs, festivals, and venues. He returns to Europe often to tour, as well as making trips elsewhere in the world to The French Caribbean, South America, and beyond. |
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Ben Creighton Griffiths - HarpBenjamin Creighton Griffiths is an Internationally touring jazz and classical harpist based in Wales. He made his International debut at the 2004 1er Concours International de Harpe in Nantes, France where, aged 7, he came second in the Under 18 division. In 2006 he won the Under 13 Division of the Wales International Harp Festival before going on to win the 2008 Junior Lily Laskine competition in Paris, winning a concert harp in the process. Originally classically trained he now specialises in jazz both as a soloist and with his bands – the Transatlantic Hot Club and Chube. His career has taken him across the world including to America, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Indonesia, China, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, India, Brazil, and across Europe.
As well as a performer he is a composer, most recently developing a concert schedule for his own Concerto for Jazz Harp & Symphony Orchestra. This has included performances across the UK and in Australia. |
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The Quartet Formation
Jeremy Lohier - AccordionJérémy Lohier is a Corsican musician, a graduate of the Henri Tomasi Conservatory (D.E.M. Jazz with distinction), and a five-time laureate of the European Accordion and Organ Competition. He also possesses certifications in Tour Production and Organization (2012) and Computer-Assisted Music (2015).
A versatile artist, Jérémy excels as an accordionist, vocalist, bassist, composer, and arranger. He has graced both national and international stages alongside esteemed Corsican ensembles such as Zamballarana, Svegliu d’Isula, and Baina Project, fulfilling roles as both arranger and artistic director. He has collaborated with esteemed artists including Thomas Dutronc, Patrick Fiori, and Enrico Macias, and has engaged in significant projects such as Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni (2017) and the Corsican-Argentine musical endeavor Corsicando (2019). His film composition expertise was developed under the guidance of Bruno Coulais, and he has spearheaded innovative initiatives such as L’Opéra Barré alongside soprano Julia Knecht. Jérémy continues to blend jazz, world music, and Corsican heritage, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in contemporary Corsican music. |
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Ashley John Long - BassAshley John Long is an award-winning virtuoso double bassist and composer active in a
diverse range of musical idioms including jazz and improvisation, early and contemporary chamber music, and as a soloist. He has performed and recorded internationally with some of the UK's leading Jazz musicians, as well as accompanying visiting international artists, whilst his work as a soloist has seen the premiers of numerous new works for solo bass. As a composer, Ash has carved a reputation as a creator of innovative scores that balance fine detail with freedom and flexibility whilst retaining a strong melodic sense. 2018-2019 saw him participating in the London Philharmonic Orchestra's young composers scheme which culminated in the orchestral work Lunea (2019). He studied at RWCMD (BMus) and Cardiff University (PhD) where he undertook research into contemporary performance practice and composition where he also lectures in musicology, performance, and Composition. |
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