Café Impromptu, an all-female jazz ensemble based on Whidbey Island, reaches a ten-year milestone during DjangoFest Northwest this year, which runs Sept. 18-22 in Langley at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.

The annual festival named for Django Reinhardt and his unique style of music is in its 24th year.

Founded after an all-night Django Jam in Langley in 2014, bassist Kristi O’Donnell aligned with other musicians who share the love of and repertoire of guitarist and composer Reinhardt.

“We decided to invent a place that invited women to play as a group,” said O’Donnell, creator of Café Impromptu. In 2019, Café Impromptu became a band.

Musicians from all over the world play with Café Impromptu. 2024 features internationally recognized guitarist Lisa Liu who joins Tobi Stone (reeds), Jennie Mayer (guitar), Kristi O’Donnell (bass), Molly Felder (vocals/percussion) and Adrienne Reed (vocals/accordion).

This year, “The People’s Band,” as they are sometimes known, is taking it from the WICA tent to the library, the brewery and the winery.

Café Impromptu’s free performances that don’t require reservations include 5:45 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 18 at WICA, 2-3 p.m. on Sept. 20 at the Freeland Library, 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 20 and 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 21 at Double Bluff Brewing Company.

One performance that does require a reservation is slated for 1-3 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Leo & Leto’s Winery and Bistro. Call 360-321-0515 for reservations.

Also happening during DjangoFest Northwest week, a guitar workshop with Lui at 10 a.m. on Sept. 19 and 20 at Langley United Methodist Church. As usual, there will be plenty of Django jamming in pubs, restaurants and sidewalk cafes in Langley.

For more information about the festival, visit djangofest.com.