The Swing Gypsys perform vintage string jazz arrangements inspired by Parisian Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and his Quintette du Hot Club de France. Django, along with his musical counterpart and violinist, Stephane Grapelli, revolutionized Jazz in Europe and abroad through their novel take on the instrumentation, presentation, and interpretation of the popular music of the early 20th Century, Swing Jazz. With three guitars, violin, and stand up bass, The Quintette was anything but standard. But the rhythmic drive of the guitars and bass along with the fluid, swinging solo guitar and violin voices, quickly proved itself as a new standard for jazz instrumentation. With its unique instrumentation and repertoire, borrowing from American Jazz standards, traditional Gypsy melodies, and European popular songs, “Gypsy Jazz†is fast becoming one of the most exciting and universally appreciated forms of music the world over.
Just as early American Jazzmen provided the inspiration for Reinhardt and his ensemble, so do they inform the musical stylings of The Swing Gypsys. Drawing their influence from the likes of Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Stuff Smith, Jack Teagarden, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang, among others, the players have built a strong foundation rooted in early Jazz and Swing music. But, unlike the great European Jazz players, Gypsy and otherwise, this contemporary Gypsy Jazz quintet benefits from their familiarity with the further evolution of Jazz through its Be Bop, Latin, Cool, and other various incarnations. The exploits of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, and Charles Mingus, to name a few, reverberate through the music of The Swing Gypsys.
The Swing Gypsys deliver a fresh take on a time-worn tradition of music with a solid, swinging groove as the foundation for the improvisational flights of lead guitarist David Moulthrop, violinist Eric Aceto, and Brandon Loveall, on a somewhat unlikely yet well-suited instrument for Jazz, the accordion.
The group is fluent. Their effect is wide-reaching.
The Swing Gypsys is a musical enterprise that redefines the notion of live music and is guaranteed to please a crowd.
Contact The Swing Gypsys for booking or more information:
email: [email protected] or call 607.592.4530------------------------------------------------
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Some words from our patrons...
"Last summer, we had the pleasure of inviting the Swing Gypsys to play for our annual company picnic. Over 200 people attended and we were very impressed with the band's professionalism at an event of this scale.The Swing Gypsies play an easy-going, playful 30's era swing reminiscent of Django Reinhardt. They were popular with our guests, who are a very culturally diverse, family oriented crowd. Having them play our picnic brought an element of class to the event.I would highly recommend them to anyone as their antique sound lends itself well to a myriad of events, from wedding parties to open houses. They are sure to please..."
--- Elizabeth Estabrook
Administrative Assistant
The Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research
Cornell University
"As co-director of the Finger Lakes Environmental Film
Festival, I have worked with David Moulthrop and the
Swing Gypsys on projects large and small. The SGs
played live for the FLEFF Fall 2006 opener for a packed
house to the Harold Lloyd film "Speedy". The care and
thoughtfulness that they put into developing the
score paid off in full. Audience members raved, and
the theater owners declared it as the most successful
event the history of the downtown theaters.
The SGs have also played for FLEFF parties, and I
have seen them perform, just for the sheer pleasure
of it, on more than one occasion. The music is intensely
sophisticated and extremely engaging, serious
music that is audience friendly. This is a group
of consummate professional musicians."
---Tom Shevory
Co-director, Finger Lakes Environental Film Festival
