The Bonaventure Quartet was originally just Dave and Charles who were nuts about Django. But we needed some low end, so we dragged Mark Bynum over on Sunday afternoons and became an all-acoustic trio based in Atlanta whose initial inspiration came from the great French gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhardt.
     At least, that's how it started...
     Since Amy Pike was a close friend and just happened to be the best singer we'd ever met, we begged her to start singing with us, and once she did, we didn't want her to stop...
     So then we were a quartet.
     But we were still greedy for another melody instrument, so we went looking and found Don Erdman on clarinet and we became a quintet.
     Inevitably, however, we had to meet a swing violinist. So naturally, when Marla Feeney stepped into the room, we grabbed her, too, and now we have the Sextet!!!!!!
     But then we recorded the Secret Seduction of the Grand Pompadour. Charles and Mark had worked with the amazing Joel Morris previously in a wacky funk group called the Sargasso Cs, and when some songs called for drums, we said "Yo-Joel!!" And he fit in like a glove. So now we had a Septet....
     While recording the above CD, our wonderful friend and engineer, Ken Gregory played some trumpet and trombone, and he was so tasteful, we said, "bring it on, Ken!"
     Which brings us to the Fabulous Bonaventure Double Quartet.....
     The repertoire of the group is diverse.
     Our performances of classic standards, western swing, gypsy jazz and original compositions all fall under the spell of the Reinhardt influence.  Moviegoers might be familiar with this style featured in the Woody Allen* film "Sweet and Lowdown," or "Chocolat."

       * Woody Allen has not compensated us in anyway for this recommendation....
          But, it's a good film anyway. Stay in touch, Woody.

Here are some comments from various people about our performances, both private functions and public shows:

    "Charles, I just wanted to send a quick note to thank you for the music last night. Everyone raved about your performance .You all were the absolute perfect fit and really helped to give the party the exact mood and feel we were hoping for. Everything was more beautiful than I could have imagined and we both really appreciated you playing  our "special" songs. Amy, thank you for joining us...your voice was amazing :)"

                         Best of luck to you all!                               
                                 Take care, 
                                         Jess and Glenn


     "Charles,  I wanted to thank you and the other members of the quartet on behalf of GAWL for the wonderful music you provided at the auction on Saturday evening.   I got many positive comments, so let’s hope you will get some business from it. In any event, you were the perfect complement to the event, and I will certainly recommend you to my friends and colleagues.   Thanks again."  

                                Best regards, 
                                         Ruth  
                                               Ruth W. Woodling
                                               WoodlingLaw, LLC 

 
  "We see you at all of the Festivals, ( Today at the Decatur Arts Fest )and just LOVE the music ; We purchased the new CD and can't stop playing it.
 Looking forward to seeing you again very soon."
                                The Angell Family
                                (Jill & Omega )

"Dear Charles,
      Just wanted to write a quick thank you for your performance at my wedding on May 30th. It was perfect! You guys were exactly what we were looking for and all the guests loved it as well. You guys are such a talented group and it was such an honor to have you as a part of our ceremony and reception.
    I also really appreciate that you were able to put together some truly beautiful music for the ceremony. I know it was last minute, so thanks so much for stepping up to the plate and helping us out. It was exactly what I was looking for.
   Again, thank you for making it such a special day and giving us all some really lovely memories. My dad speaks so highly of you all and now I can understand why. Please pass along my sincere thanks to all of the members of BQ.

                         Best,
                                     Rachel Erdman (now Luciani:)"

    "Sensational music performed by sensational musicians. Everyone (of a wide age spectrum) was able to enjoy the performance, dance, etc. Truly one of the finest bands around, and not just for weddings."
                                     Tony

    " this band is unbelievably good and unforgettable. listen to samples on their website for a taste of their sound. they had young and old on the dance floor, serious music fans impressed and everyone asking how they could get a CD. not to be missed, if you love great musicianship, great singing and really great people."
                                     Eileen