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CITYLIFE / Weekend & Holiday






Band of gypsies

By Adam Skuse (That's Shanghai)
Updated: 2007-07-06 09:35


Gypsy jazz, made famous by legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt in the
smoke-filled clubs of 1930s Paris, has journeyed east to Shanghai's
French Concession. The enthusiastic messengers of this sound, San
Franciscan Doug Martin and French guitarist Etienne Jeanne, hold court at
HFZ Gourmet and Lounge and La Bella Caf�� on Thursday and Friday nights,
respectively, before an audience of foot-tapping and head-nodding fans.

The phrase 'Gypsy jazz' may not be immediately recognizable to many
people, but its sound is. Played almost exclusively on stringed
instruments, it's an up-tempo, lively sound with its roots in traditional
Romany folk music. While a guitar lays down the driving rhythm of
fast-changing triads, an intricate melody is played over the top, usually
by another guitar or violin.

Gypsy jazz aficionado Doug Martin speaks of the wide appeal of the genre:
"The style lends itself wonderfully to musicians and non-musicians. It's
got a feel that anybody can get into; yet it's also complex so even
musicians of a high caliber can find it truly stimulating and expressive."

Jeanne agrees that a big part of the music's appeal is the esprit de
corps the music engenders. "There's a great connection between the
musicians and the audience, especially as the city has a historic
connection with jazz."

Indeed, the pair are often joined by guest musicians to play blistering
versions of standards such as "I Got Rhythm", Reinhardt classics like
"Djangology" and their own compositions. Erhu player Yao Minfei has also
joined them on stage, bringing a distinctive Chinese flavor to the mix.

"I believe the melodies of Chinese folk music lend themselves very well
to Gypsy music," says Martin. "After all, Gypsies have no borders and
many Gypsies or nomadic people traveled east and west, so this music we
label as 'Gypsy' has roots everywhere, not in one place."

Gypsy Jazz Friday Acoustic Guitar
Time: Every Friday 9pm
Location: La Bella Cafe, 127 Yongfu Lu, by Fuxing Lu
Tel: 021-6433 6381

Gypswing Manouch
Time: Every Thursday 8pm
Location: HFZ Gourmet & Lounge, 6-8F Red House Building, 35 Shanxi Nan
Lu, by Julu Lu
















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