QUECUMBAR INT'L GYPSY SWING GUITAR FESTIVAL

During 2009, celebrations to mark the centenary on 25th January 2010 of the birth of Django Reinhardt were eagerly anticipated the world over. Not to miss out on the fun as the foremost Gypsy Swing venue in the UK, Le QuecumBar decided that nothing less than a festival would do. A first for London, the festival drew together an elite assembly of Europe's finest Gypsy swing/jazz musicians for nine days of concerts and workshops to celebrate the 100th birthday and legacy of Django Reinhardt, the legendary Gypsy, guitar genius, composer, band leader and creator of Gypsy swing/jazz, a uniquely European jazz genre born in 1930s Paris drawing on nearly 1,000 years of Gypsy culture. Amassing thirty-four musicians from eight countries, the festival line up was unprecedented. Each successive night featured musicians whose work is inextricably part of the Gypsy Swing DNA, but some of whom had never appeared on stage together. Opening with soulful evocations of 1930s Paris from Fleur de Paris, and featuring David Reinhardt (Django's grandson) as guest of honour, the festival showcased the many musical influences that have been grafted on to the traditional Gypsy and swing jazz roots - Balkan, bebop, Latin, Eastern European, Middle Eastern and, yes, even a Little Rock music. The final night drew on the talent of three of the world's most inspiring soloists, Stochelo Rosenberg, Lollo Meier and Ritary Gaguenetti - all incontestably worthy inheritors of Django's legacy. This special triple album captures the highlights of an incredible nine days. This music has deep roots, but in it's soulfulness, in the versatility of it's imagination and in it's sheer exuberance, the ability of Gypsy swing/jazz to charm and seduce audiences remains as powerful as ever. The Festival and this recording are offered as a labour of love to Gypsy music and Gypsy musicians. We are honoured to provide this opportunity of bringing your music to the attention of the wider public, and in so doing make a small contribution to ensure that your community and it's culture is given the recognition it deserves. We are grateful to you all for sharing your music with us, and for all the good times. Opre Romale.