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Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone is familiar with the Gypsy Jazz style of playing. A local group just started up, though I really don't know what it is exactly. Out of about 40 members so far, I seem to be the only piano player there signed up. Oh, well.. sounds like fun.

Maybe like this ….



Doesn’t usually have piano but no reason why it couldn’t

Thanks, beeboss. I'm learning that Gypsy Jazz is usually played in a minor key (Minor Swing).

Wonder if the group would want to play something like this - one of my favorites:

Two Guitars (Russian Gypsy Folk Song)

Or maybe this ...

Elyssa,

To add to what Beeboss has posted, here's a Django Rheinhardt documentary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfNfseyQsPw

DR's the first and last word in the style. So anything you find out about him is going to lead to stuff worth knowing.

Here's a group one of my former students leads.

http://www.redrockhotclub.com/

He's based in Maine (now). The website has videos so you can hear how they approach things.

Thanks for the links. Unfortunately, I couldn't access the first one.

Yikes! It was there yesterday when I posted it. When I click today it says the poster removed it. In any case info about Django Rheinhardt will lead to good places. Google 'django rheinhardt documentary' and a ton of interesting stuff's going to come up. Pick and choose what looks good ....

If you live in/near large metro area, chances are there's a local group playing this. for example in my area (the Bay Area) there is a group called Gypsy Tribe who play every week at local bars/restaurants and such. This type of music tends to focus on guitar (as you would imagine) but the keyboardist in the group uses a 70s electric piano/electric organ sound - using basic jazz chords (nothing far out) and for her solos she chooses either a minor blues scale or running up and down the diatonic scale - and this fits in well with the music.

That's interesting..The organizer, Tara, plays guitar and mandolin, and most of the people who signed up play guitar. Well, I can play some jazz chords, blues scales, etc., on keyboard. I'm really not looking to solo much at all - just want to contribute a little to the group and have fun with it while I'm learning the style. She said she wanted it to be mainly an acoustic group but guess she/they won't mind if I bring along my little Yamaha (there's no acoustic piano in the restaurant).

I really like this one:

Honeysuckle Rose



Thanks again, all

Here's another favorite:

All of Me

I never realized he played so many great old standards:

Django Fakebook

http://www.gypsyguitar.de/downloads/gg-downloads/fakebook_django_2008.pdf

Well, didn't he live in the 20s?

I don't know how they got this book together, but I love a lot of the songs listed. Gee, it even has the "Muppet Show Theme". I used to play that on electric organ (with pedals) way back..

I see some great Latin songs like Tico-Tico and Brazil are also listed in this book:

I doubt he played the Muppet Show theme since he died in the 50ths.

Here's a fav of mine It's from a film, Latcho Dro, that features different types of gypsy music, including Taraf de haidouks. An idealised and flawed film, but lots of great music.