Brisbane Gypsy Jazz Festival

Following eight years of success in neighbouring New Caledonia, French Gypsy Jazz is coming to Australia.

With influences from traditional Gypsy, Balkans music and of course, Django Reinhardt, the inaugural festival will be full of foot-tappin' swing, feisty passion and virtuosic improvisation.

Ewan MacKenzie, who has performed with Doch Gypsy Orchestra, will return with Swing Manouche and French guitarist, Michel Trabelsi, will lead the Gypsy Swing Quintet in the opening night. Following their recent performance at the Chicago Gypsy Jazz Festival, Zaïti Trio will play a varied jazz repertoire with a special homage for the centenary of Django’s birth. The unique collaboration between Berlin based singer, Susana Djordjevic and Paris based traditional ensemble, Ziveli Orkestar will follow on and close the festival.

Gyspy jazz is flamboyant, sometimes melancholic and definitely, addictive. Don’t miss this high-energy festival.

“One of the distinguishing features of Gypsy jazz is the infectious accompaniment style known as la pompe. This rhythm, which is French for “the pump”, has a bouncy, swinging, foot-tapping feel that hardly anyone can resist. Even those who find jazz too dissonant and abstract often enjoy the rootsy sound of la pompe.” Michael Horowitz - Gypsy Rhythm

Duration 2hrs 50mins, including interval