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Gypsy jazz band

By The World ⋅ November 25, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
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Gypsy jazz band (Photo: Steven Davy)

Three musicians came by our studio recently for a live performance. They play gypsy jazz, the kind played by the great Belgian gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, who would be 100 years old this year and French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli.

Jonathan Joubert plays a guitar copied after Django’s own instrument. Ben Powell is a classically trained violinist who discovered Stephane Grappelli in his teens and switched to jazz because of him. On the day they came by they also brought along guitarist Jack Soref.

“Together, they played a few tunes, including “Coquette,” a tune Django Reinhardt made his own. Joubert and Powell are recording a new album titled, “Gypsy Times:Back to the Future” that will be released next year. Download MP3
(Photo: Steven Davy)

Listen to an extended conversation with Jonathan Joubert, Ben Powell and Stephane Grappelli

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Extra: Listen to these songs performed live in our studio
“Coquette”:

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“Nuage”:

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“Minor Swing”:

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Find out more about the band:

Legends from the past

Discussion

2 comments for “Gypsy jazz band”

  • Donald E. Carey

    Thanks a million for the Django segment. Out for a pre-prandial three-mile run, this 81-year old was running out of steam on the final hill to home. But the lovely “Nuage” floated me up and over the crest. (As Tony Bennett sang, “Where did the Magic Go?’) Keep up the good work. “The World” is a cut above most NPR offerings.
    Thanks again. Don Carey

  • J. Bruce L aMotte

    Hi Ben ! Thanks for update, all v. impressive.A 1/2 hr. ago loaded 5 discs into system including Souvenirs.What is name of town east of Paris on the river where Django is celebrated each yr. end of June?
    Good luck in Paris, pls. stay in touch ! All best, Bruce