HOME

WHAT IS GYPSY SWING?
By Chris Ruppenthal

Gypsy Swing is an instrumental swing music created in the 1930s through a unique musical union. When the Manouche Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt met French violinist Stephane Grappelli something magical happened! The music of the American standard songbook of the '20s and '30s, European folk music, Parisian waltzes, and raditional Gypsy music were merged to form "Gypsy Swing" or "Hot Jazz." Their group, "Le Quintette du Hot Club de France," quickly became a sensation! They offered a fiery improvisational alternative to the more arranged big band sound of the day. They are the defining group in the genre and are looked to for inspiration by countless groups that came after.

Gypsy Swing, along with traditional Gypsy music, is learned by the passing down of knowledge from older generations. Many Gypsy musicians do not read notated music. It is more common for beginners to spend hours learning and memorizing songs from recordings and gleaning techniques from more experienced players.

In Gypsy Swing, guitar and violin are the main solo instruments, although clarinet and accordion are also commonplace. The rhythm guitar is played using a unique percussive technique that essentially replaces the drums. An upright bass fills out the ensembles. Although many instrumental lineups exist, a group including; one lead guitar, violin, two rhythm guitars, and bass is often the norm.

Over the past twenty years, many Gypsy Swing performers have begun using traditional Latin rhythms like samba, bossa nova, tango, and rumba.

There continues to be a thriving Gypsy Swing scene all across Europe today! It has also become popular in the United States. There are festivals throughout the world dedicated specifically to Gypsy Swing. Many Gypsy children growing up today learn to play from listening to Django Reinhardtís vintage recordings.

CARAVAN BIO
GIG SCHEDULE
CARAVAN PHOTOS

BOOKING INFO
CONTACT CARAVAN

BUY THE CD

ABOUT GYPSY SWING
LINKS