“Took the Mrs to The Bop Stop to check out Moustache Yourself…..They are sounding terrific and bringing “a viewpoint” to an approach to jazz that has been around for quite a while……It will be around quite a while longer if excellent musicians like this continue to allow themselves to be influenced by beauty, a classy groove and the true spirit of the music……Play on gentlemen….!” – Ernie Krivda
Gypsy jazz, also known as gypsy swing, hot club jazz, or by its French name, “Jazz Manouche”, is a ... view more »
“Took the Mrs to The Bop Stop to check out Moustache Yourself…..They are sounding terrific and bringing “a viewpoint” to an approach to jazz that has been around for quite a while……It will be around quite a while longer if excellent musicians like this continue to allow themselves to be influenced by beauty, a classy groove and the true spirit of the music……Play on gentlemen….!” – Ernie Krivda
Gypsy jazz, also known as gypsy swing, hot club jazz, or by its French name, “Jazz Manouche”, is a musical style made famous in the 1930s by guitarist Django Reinhardt. Northeast Ohio’s leading gypsy jazz quartet, Moustache Yourself, is on a mission to incorporate the entire history of this style into a mix of songs ranging from its beginning to to the present day. Clarinetist Brad Wagner, bassist Matthew DeRubertis, and guitarists Brent Hamker and Jeremy Jones have played with such acts as Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Wesley Bright & The Honeytones, and Ernie Krivda’s big band. Their infectious rhythm and exotic melodies will capture your soul and transport you to a different time and place. Please enjoy this rare treat of old world sounds!
The Band is:
Jeremy Jones: Guitar
Brent Hamker: Guitar
Brad Wagner: Clarinet
Matthew DeRubertis: Bass
What is Gypsy Jazz?
As much as a style of music can be created by one person, Gypsy Jazz was created by one man: Django Reinhardt. Other people played roles in the formation of this style and it continues to evolve today, but Django’s influence is the most celebrated. Django was a Gypsy (Romany), and a guitar player of unusual talents despite a serious handicap on his left hand. Gypsy Jazz centers around the guitar; both rhythm and lead, although the violin plays an important role in many Gypsy Jazz groups.
The violin player that played with Django in the first Gypsy Jazz group,The Hot Club de France, was Stephane Grappelli and he is arguably just as important in the creation of Gypsy Jazz. Most often there is a double bass player and occasionally Gypsy Jazz groups will include an accordion, and/or a clarinet, and/or a mandolin.
If you are interested there are many resources on Django and Gypsy Jazz! Ultimately it is impossible to accurately describe Gypsy Jazz in words, in needs to be seen, heard and felt.
A few key attributes of Gypsy Jazz:
- Groups consisting entirely or at least dominated by stringed instruments.
- A special form of rhythmic guitar accompaniment called La Pompe. (The Pump)
- Improvisation on all instruments.
- Waltzes, fast tempos, minor keys, exotic melodies.
- Men with moustaches.
Booking:
We are a Gypsy Jazz quartet available for public events, concerts, private engagements, weddings, restaurants, wine bars, vineyards and anywhere else you need a unique, energetic, highly infectious mix of Jazz with a “Gypsy” flavor. Check out our upcoming live appearances on the Calendar page.
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