Cross Cultural Music, Song & Dance on the banks of the Bann.
The Gypsy Jazz Quartet
Gypsy jazzis the style of music generated by French gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, who formed the Quintet of the Hot Club of France with violinist Stephane Grappelli in 1934.
The style is characterised by the line-up, which is (unusually for jazz) without drums, piano or saxophones. Acoustic rhythm guitar and double bass generate the groove, and the front line comprises fiddle and acoustic lead guitar. The music is for the most part up-tempo, lively and uplifting, but there are also slower melancholy tunes in the repertoire.
Lead guitarist Frank Kilkelly lived and played in Co. Mayo for many years before moving to London in 1986. There he toured extensively with a string of well-respected acoustic groups, ranging very broadly in styles through folk and jazz. Since his return to Ireland in 1998, he has worked with the top names in the acoustic music world, including:
Sharon Shannon, Mairtin O'Connor, Alan Kelly, Finbar Furey & Cafe Orchestra.
The Gypsy Jazz Quartet digs deep into the ever-broadening repertoire now flourishing in today's gypsy jazz players. The line-up has Paul O'Driscoll on double bass, (well known for his work in traditional music with Deiseal, and Josephine Marsh,) Ivor Ottley plays hot fiddle (fresh from the vibrant English acoustic scene), and most recent addition rhythm guitarist Damien Gilligan comes to us from The Hot Club of Dublin.
