The Gypsy Hombres

The acoustic violin/guitar based trio, The Gypsy Hombres, blend traditional jazz with European, South American, and classical music to create a sound unlike any other musical group. The Hombres’ repertoire embraces a wide variety of composers and styles; from Brahms and Chopin to George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong to international folk songs, all while retaining the gypsy spirit. But besides just adding their own arrangements and personalities to standards, they are also accomplished composers with several original songs featured on their latest album.
Because of its acoustic and aesthetically refined nature, their style is ideal for background music at private parties and weddings. But the Hombres can also "rock house" with a captivating intensity. Equally at ease with swing, tangos, and waltzes, the Hombres provide plenty of inspiration for dancing, and their free spirit and natural improvisation can win over any audience.
Not just entertaining, their music is ideal for the serious listener, because of their high level of musical ability. In fact, their musicianship is so impressive, the Nashville Chamber Orchestra commissioned their composer in residence, Conni Ellisor, to write a piece incorporating some of the Hombres original songs, melodies and riffs. The result was "Nuage de la Nuit" -- a twenty-seven minute tribute to the legendary, gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, featuring the Gypsy Hombres. The performance was taped by National Public Radio and is scheduled to be broadcast in the near future.
Some of the Hombres previous engagements include the Nashville Jazz on the River Festival, The Franklin Jazz Festival, and The Tennessee Jazz Festival. The Hombres have played the Governor’s mansion, the movie set of "The Green Mile" and the Belle Meade Jazz on the Lawn Series, as well as numerous parties, weddings, and club dates. Live shows have included special guest artists including Chet Atkins, Alan Jackson, Tim O’Brien, Mandy Barnett and the great French, gypsy stylist Romane. Other guests include Terry Clark, Muriel Anderson, Beppe Gambetta, Carlo Aonzo, Kathy Chiavola, flamenco guitarist Chuscales, Buddy Spicher Annie Selleck and Miss Ava Day.
Gypsy Hombres alumni include: Justin Thompson, Charlie Chadwick, Gene Libea, David Spicher, David Sebring, and Dan Immel. Great players all!
Here’s what critics are saying about "Django Bells"
"...a stroke of genius... except for Phil Spector no musician has ever made a decent holiday album, until now... very musical..."
Pulse Magazine
"...4 Stars... Tight arrangements backed with stellar musicianship..."
Downbeat Magazine
"Perhaps the most original title and concept on our Christmas compilations... a thoroughly enjoyable mix..."
Jazziz Magazine
"...definitely a kick to hear... There’s some wonderful, jazzy jamming on this disc..."
Mix Magazine
PETER HYRKA
Born and raised in Memphis, Tenn., the "Home of the Blues," Peter Hyrka grew up on a steady diet of rock, blues, and soul music. Having taken instruction on the accordion, clarinet, guitar and piano, he then discovered the beauty of the violin, and has been fascinated with it ever since.
In high school, Peter was led to the delightful sounds of Joe Venuti, Stephane Grappelli, Stuff Smith, Jean Luc Ponty, and other jazz string players. He spent several years performing in country, rock, bluegrass, and reggae bands, which led to work as a session violinist. In 1984 he organized the “Victims of Circumstance,” which featured the vibraphone, giving it a sound as much like a meeting between Stephane Grappelli and Lionel Hampton, as it did of the “Quintet of the Hot Club of France.”
In 1989, Peter was signed to Columbia Records with his rock group, Human Radio. In 1995, he created The Gypsy Hombres. He is the recipient of numerous Premier Player Awards given by the Memphis chapter of the National Association of the Recording Arts and Sciences (N.A.R.A.S.), and was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame. And, as a fan and student of music of the world, adamantly believes in the observation of the great Duke Ellington: that there are only two kinds of music - good and bad.
He has performed and recorded with Adrian Belew, Steve Forbert, Todd Snider, Tony Joe White, Rusty Young of “Poco”, John Cowan, Keith Urban, Minton Sparks, Shelby Lynn, and appears on the platinum-selling Squint Records “Sixpence, None the Richer.” In 1998 Peter reunited with Human Radio to record with Japanese pop-vocalist Miyako Shinohara, which led to a tour of Japan. In April, 2000, he arranged the strings behind Willie Nelson and Duane Eddy at the Ryman Auditorium, as part of Chet Atkin’s Musician Days. And in 2005, he released an electronica project with DJ Dustin Michael, "Tales of Bohemia."
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