Brisbane can expect a bit of gypsy magic when Sydney trio Gadjo Guitars perform at the Brisbane Jazz Club this Friday.
Ironically, the word ‘gadjo’ is the Romanian word for ‘non-gypsy’. The powerhouse trio have been described as one of the best gypsy-jazz groups in the country and will be performing tracks off their latest album, ‘Two Down One Up’, a record full of dynamic interplay and foot-tapping rhythms. Guitarist Cameron Jones explains how their music can go from “bright and happy to dark and spooky”.
Can you explain the difference between gypsy jazz and other forms of jazz?
The basic explanation would be when Western European gypsy musicians, mainly guitarists and violinists, heard the American jazz pioneers of the 1920s and ‘30s; they adapted the music to their own way of playing and instrumentation. Taking the swing feel, the phrasing and repertoire and combined it with there own ideas and musical traditions.
Do you see gypsy jazz being more accessible to mainstream audiences compared to more traditional forms of jazz?
In a way, yes. The music for the most part is upbeat, bright and incredibly rhythmic. It isn’t limited to a particular audience group or scene and it’s incredibly open and welcoming. Dancers enjoy it as do audiences of all ages.
How did the members – Nigel Date, Jose Zarb and Cameron Jones – meet and came to form the Gadjo Guitars?
Nigel is a major figure in the Australian gypsy-jazz scene and the ‘go-to’ guy for this music in Sydney. Both Jose and myself contacted him independently of each other and he suggested we start a project. That was four years ago and the band has been going ever since.
What drew you to the gypsy-jazz style?
As an acoustic-guitar style, it’s very expressive and dynamic. I tend to be a fairly physical player and I really enjoy digging in and working the instrument. Initially though coming from more of a rock background, I found it daunting as there’s no hiding behind amps or effects. All this makes for a very honest and organic music form that can also convey a lot of moods and colours. Which is something that we make good use of in Gadjo Guitars. In the course of a performance, the music goes from bright and happy to dark and spooky and all shades between.
‘Gadjo’ is a gypsy term meaning ‘non-gyspies’; why choose ‘gadjo’ for the band's name?
We’re having fun with the form. I guess what we’re trying to say is that we aren’t a tribute act or anything like that. We’re just dudes from Sydney that love getting together and playing this music and I think our sound reflects that. We use gypsy jazz as the musical template from which we pour all our other influences and experiences into it.
You often participate in the ‘Pure Bohemia’ nights – which combines gypsy-jazz music with the activity of life drawing. How popular have these nights been?
‘Pure Bohemia – Life Drawing & Gypsy Jazz’ has been quite successful in Sydney and we’re now establishing a regular event in Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains. There’s been such a broad audience for these events. We get music fans, artists of all disciplines, writers, dancers and actors coming along. There’s a lot of creativity in the room during these events and the band feeds off the artists as much as the artists feed off the music.
How does the your latest album ‘Two Down One Up’ compare to the release of your previous album, ‘L’Amour en Douce’?
When we recorded the first album the band was only together for about six months. Between the first album and the new one, ‘Two Down, One Up’, the band has probably logged hundreds of hours playing together which makes for a more rhythmically tighter and polished recording. We also have Stan Valecos on bass now who ties our sound together and provides a tremendous groove. The album was recorded live with us all playing together in the same room. Each tune on the recording is a first or second take and there no edits at all. What you hear is what we played. Something we’re really proud of.
Your performances are often improvised, can you tell me how this is done as a trio? Do you have a secret language?
There is a lot of communication and active listening between us when we perform together. Which is something that can only be developed over a long time working together. Playing in Gadjo Guitars is very much like playing a team sport. There’s a lot of ball passing between the players and over the time we’ve learnt to pre-empt each and trust each other, so that if one of us has an idea and goes in a certain direction the others will follow or respond to it.
Even though you don’t consider yourselves gypsies, do you enjoy gypsy-lore and culture?
There’s a certain romance surrounding gypsy culture especially when you add the traveling musician aspect of it. What I enjoy is the musical community that you find with people that play this music. You can travel all over the world and find likeminded people to play gypsy jazz with. You might not be able to communicate verbally but you’ll be able to communicate through music.
What kind of show can the people expect when you perform at the Brisbane Jazz Club?
A fast paced, highly energetic, highly improvised night of swinging guitar music featuring musicians at the top of their game.
Can you tell me about the musical guests (Miranda Deutsch and Ewan Mackenzie) and who will be joining you during the second act at the BJC?
We really wanted to showcase the guitar for our concert at the Brisbane Jazz Club. And it’s also good excuse to get our Brisbane friends, Ewan and Miranda to play with us. There’s a culture of jamming which is a huge part of this music. It can be magical for both the musicians and the audience. It’s the part of the show where nothing is rehearsed and anything can happen. We’ve known both Ewan and Miranda for some years and we’ve performed together and separately over that time. Ewan is one of Australia’s finest gypsy-jazz guitarists, is the artistic director for Brisbane’s own OzManouche Festival, which happens annually in November. He’s also released a new album of original music in the gypsy-jazz style called ‘Ups & Downs’, which is worth checking out. Miranda is a fine guitarist in her own right and has played with a lot of the great European masters of the style such as Lollo Meier, Andreas Oberg, Angelo Debarre and most recently Robin Nolan. She plays in Ewan’s band here in Brisbane and also has her own project called Salon De Swing. 2015 for Gadjo Guitars... what does the band’s future hold? We plan to get out more and do regional and interstate shows both with Pure Bohemia and trio concerts. We’re also in the process of writing material for a new album which we hope to record later in the year. Playing in Gadjo Guitars is an ongoing musical conversation where ideas are constantly developed and refined. Probably the most challenging and rewarding musical project I’ve been a part of and I’m excited for the future and where things will lead.
Written by Nicholas Ivanovic
Gadjo Guitars Tour Dates
Wed 28 Jan - Wooloweyah Community HallFri 30 Jan - Brisbane Jazz Club
Sun 1 Feb - Lismore City Bowls Club
