Yolo Hot Club is a jazz manouche or gypsy jazz instrumental string trio, in the style of the Parisian hot jazz clubs of the 1930s and 40s. The name is an homage to the original Quintette du Hot Club de France, founded by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli in Paris in 1934.
Guitarist Don Parish and bassist Steve Ackley were college buddies and musical collaborators at Bethany University. Steve and violinist Michelle Martin played together in jazz band Shake Don't Stir for several years before the pandemic. When live music returned, the three were eager to collaborate on a new project, and gypsy jazz was the perfect fit for their sound. Yolo Hot Club was formed in 2021, and the trio has been a crowd favorite at wineries, breweries, and Main Street events all over Yolo, Sacramento, Solano, and Alameda counties.