NOVEMBER 2025

Su - 11/9 - ALEX SIMON- Gypsy Swing Jam - Retro, BK

T - 11/11 - ANTOINE THOUVENIN - St. Mazie Cellar, BK

W - 11/12 - ADRIEN CHEVALIER - Jam - The Keep, QNS

Th - 11/13 - ALEX SIMON - Gypsy Swing Jam - Bistro So, BK

F - 11/14 - ANTOINE THOUVENIN - St. Mazie, BK

S - 11/15 - GABRIEL HERMIDA - St. Mazie Cellar, BK

Su - 11/16 - ALEX SIMON - Gypsy Swing Jam - Retro, BK

T - 11/18 - CHARLIE ROMAN - Lula Mae, BK

T - 11/18 - ADRIEN CHEVALIER & YVONNICK PRENÉ - Drom, BK

W - 11/19 - ADRIEN CHEVALIER - Jam - The Keep, QNS

W - 11/19 - CHARLIE ROMAN - Motto Chelsea, MN

Th - 11/20 - ALEX SIMON - Gypsy Swing Jam - Bistro So, BK

Su - 11/23 - ALEX SIMON- Gypsy Swing Jam - Retro, BK

W - 11/26 - ADRIEN CHEVALIER - Jam - The Keep, QNS

Th - 11/27 - ALEX SIMON - Gypsy Swing Jam - Bistro So, BK

Th - 11/27 - CHARLIE ROMAN - Rosevale Cocktail Room, MN

Su - 11/30 - ALEX SIMON- Gypsy Swing Jam - Retro, BK

RECURRING

WEDNESDAYS - ADRIEN CHEVALIER Jam - The Keep, QNS

THURSDAYS - ALEX SIMON Gypsy Jazz Jam - Bistro So, BK

FRIDAY TBD MONTHLY - DIEGO CAMPO - Flower Cat, BK

SUNDAYS - ALEX SIMON Gypsy Jazz Jam - Retro, BK 

ARTISTS and VENUES: DM Instagram Account

GYPSY JAZZ/JAZZ MANOUCHE

Gypsy jazz, also known as jazz manouche, emerged in the 1930s. Deeply rooted in the Romani (Gypsy) tradition and culture, it blends swing jazz with traditional European folk melodies, producing a unique and energetic sound distinguished by its rhythmic drive, virtuosic guitar playing, and expressive improvisation. It is famously associated with its originator, the legendary Belgian-born Romani guitarist Django Reinhardt.

Django Reinhardt (1910–1953) is the undisputed founder of Gypsy jazz. Born into a Romani family near Brussels, Belgium, Reinhardt was a self-taught prodigy who began his musical career as a banjo-guitarist in the cafés of Paris. In 1928, a fire severely burned his left hand, leaving him with only partial use of two fingers. Incredibly, Reinhardt developed a new, unconventional technique that allowed him to continue playing with extraordinary speed and precision.

In the 1930s Reinhardt eamed up with French violinist Stéphane Grappelli to form the Quintette du Hot Club de France. This ensemble, composed mainly of string instruments (guitars, violin, and bass), was revolutionary at the time, as most jazz bands were brass-heavy. Their style combined the harmonic and improvisational structure of American swing with the melodies and rhythms of Romani folk music.

The "Hot Club" sound, as it became known, featured the dazzling virtuosity of Reinhardt and Grappelli backed by bass and guitars playing the "la pompe" rhythm—an acoustic guitar strumming pattern that provides the percussive swing of Gypsy jazz. 

Much of Gypsy jazz is characterized by:

• Acoustic instrumentation: Typically, the core ensemble consists of one or two lead guitars, rhythm guitars, a double bass, and often a violin (clarinets, accordions, horns and other instruments are also common).

• La pompe rhythm: A steady, percussive strumming pattern that gives the music its swing and propulsion.

• Virtuosic improvisation: Lead guitarists are generally very accomplished, playing solos with intricate arpeggios, chromatic runs, and melodic embellishments.

• Melodic content: A mix of jazz standards, Romani traditional songs, waltzes, and original compositions.

• Minimal percussion: The genre typically lacks drums, relying on rhythm guitar and bass for drive and swing.

In the 1970s and 1980s, interest in Reinhardt’s music resurged, and a new generation of musicians emerged to carry on his legacy. The style has evolved into a living tradition, continually reinterpreted by each new generation of players.Gypsy jazz enjoys a vibrant global following, with a range of skilled artists bringing their own voice to the style.  Many make New York City their home and many visiting Gypsy jazz musicians attend our city's frequent jam sessions. You never know who you might hear sitting in.