One of the most joyful sounds in jazz is the gypsy swing created by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli in the 30s and 40s. The problem with most of todays bands that give tribute to that style is they seem to stay stuck in the songs of the original era of the famed Hot Club of France.
So, here comes guitarist Sam Kaufmann, and he brings together a bohemian team of Lisa Rittner/voc-sax, Jack O’Roonie/b and the string section of Andrea Renolds & Jane Young to put together a caravan of songs that mix the vibe of the original swing band but with the attitude and song selection of modern ears and hearts. The eclectic song selection proves to be more than just a “gimmick”, as Rittner’s sax and the violins give some wonderful interplay along with a her vocal climax on a thrilling take of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”. After that song, you figure that if they can pull that song off, they can do anything!
And they do! Radiohead’s “Airbag” includes Rittner’s breathy vocals weaving around some gloriously schmaltzy violin cries, pulsated along by Kaufmann’s chords and strums. There’s a James Taylorish mellow take of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” featuring some rich bass and guitar intertwined, while Elvis Costello’s “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding” includes some tasty guitar solos, strolling pulsations and gloriously crying violins with a Nashville skyline.
O’Roonie lays down a thick line on the peppy take of The Go Go’s “Our Lips Our Sealed” while the leader shows class and not flash throughout, laying out relentless beats he’s serenading at a campfire as the violins sigh on the glorious “Champagne Supernova”.
As a fan of the gypsy sound since my first discovery of jazz, I find it refreshing to see the style used not as a means of imitation, but as a puree of celebration. Check them out-when are they hitting So Cal?