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Welcome to gypsy jazz blog No 2 , In case you’ve just wandered across this one ,  I’m a gypsyjazzaholic. I run my own Trio (TMA025) and if you haven’t read the first one, you can check it out here (what is gypsy jazz ).

Okay, moving on from the first blog which covered the origin of the music, beginning with the legendary gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhardt (1910 ? 1953), I’d like to talk a little about the players that surrounded him.

In the classic Quintette of the Hot Club of France, there was the great French jazz violinist, Stephane Grappelli, taking equal melodies and solos next to Django.

Apart from various bass-players, the rhythm section was fattened up considerably with the unique idea of having two rhythm guitar players. The style of accompaniment that Django came up with, is generally and amusingly referred to as ‘la pompe’ (the pump !). It was totally driving and created a formidable backbeat for Django and Stephane. Innovative at the time because every group would usually incorporate drums. It was deceptively easy sounding but if you were a guitarist, very difficult to nail accurately.

For many years, Django’s brother Joseph held position as one half of the rhythm section. The other chair was held by a few different gypsy players. Although at many times they were alternated between one of three brothers from the Ferret ( pronounced Fer-ray ) family, Baro, Matelo and Sarane.

All the Ferrets and Joseph were superb soloists and band leaders in their own right and forged successful careers as time went on. More importantly, Django was held in such high esteem as a player, composer and arranger that they were all honoured to act in the role of the rhythm section.

In my Trio ( TMA025 ) the rhythm sound/accent is very important to us; we like to think that we’re carrying on the tradition set down all those years ago. In all honesty, I practise ‘la pompe’ as much as the solo stuff ! Having provided rhythm guitar for some of the finest gypsy players in the world, I totally respect it as an art-form in itself.

Whether the trio are background at a wedding or more up-front, like at a jazz club or festival, the attention to detail is the same. Clients get the same driving, hypnotic pulse. It’s one of the reasons why gypsy jazz is more popular today than it ever has been.

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading !

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Hi and welcome to the new blog on Gypsy Jazz !  I’ve kindly been asked by the Morris Agency to write some lines about this vibrant and increasingly popular music style.

First off, apart from having my own gypsy jazz trio, I’ve been involved in playing this style for seventeen years and working as a professional guitarist for over twenty.

With gigs, there’s no end to the variety of events that gypsy jazz can cater for.

Over the years, we’ve played at jazz festivals, arts centres, theatres, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, gypsy music festivals, wakes, corporate functions, private parties, boat launches, embassies, museums, plus the odd bit of TV and radio. All thanks to the timeless popularity of the music.

So now a brief history for anyone who has just discovered gypsy jazz!

The origins can be linked to one man, a Belgian gypsy guitarist called Django Reinhardt (1910 – 1953).

Discovering jazz as a young man, he successfully fused his awesome ethnic playing style with the early American jazz that was finding its way into Europe. In so doing, he created a genre, re-defined plectrum style guitar, wrote enduring melodies and generally become a total legend on every level.

Oh! And he had a disability in the fact that his fretting hand was badly burnt in a fire and he could only fully use his index and middle fingers.

When his recordings started reaching the rest of the world, people were completely blown away. He became a world-wide phenomenon.

Many Gypsies from Europe play this style; Django ignited this quirky branch of jazz and for some, it has become part of their culture, adding a new dimension to their already amazing musical heritage.

I consider myself lucky and honoured, having learnt to play gypsy jazz from some of the greatest exponents on the planet since Django, including Bireli Lagrene, Stochelo Rosenberg and Lulu Reinhardt. Whether on a gig or a jam, I’ve soaked up every second of playing time with these remarkable musicians.

In the my own gypsy jazz trio, TMA025, we’ve kept the format nice and simple. Two acoustic guitars and a double-bass.

Because gypsy jazz is so adaptable we can incorporate elements of swing jazz, Latin and even a little funk into the tunes.

The music has an endearing quality of being both ‘street’ and sophisticated in its sound. Very European and extremely infectious.

Okay, that’s it for now, thanks for reading!

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