gypsy jazz

Arpeggios and chromatic notes make up the bulk of the solos in Gypsy Jazz. Of course, the solo can also be aerated with other aspects like scales, chord melodies, and some gymnastics. Gypsy jazz hardly ever uses the inside-and-outside playing techniques popular in American jazz.

1930s Gypsy jazz originated in France during the 1930s. Guitarist Django Reinhardt was instrumental in developing the style, having grown up in gypsy camps near Paris. Today's gypsy jazz musicians imitate Reinhardt, who played alongside violinist Stéphane Grappelli in the group Quintette du Hot Club de France.

That characteristic "la pompe" rhythm coupled with beautiful melodic phrases often incorporating "gypsy" elements like the harmonic minor scale, Hungarian (or gypsy) minor scale, and copious ornaments (like quick hammer on it and pull offs) make for a musical style that is instantly recognizable and distinctive.

Musical material and Phrasing The playing of inside and outside, wich are common practice in American Jazz, are allmost not adopted in Gypsy Jazz. While American Jazz has the tendency, to sound aerial and erratic, Gypsy Jazz sounds down to earth and the melodies are quite traceable, comprehensible and singable.

Roma (Gypsies) originated in the Punjab region of northern India as a nomadic people and entered Europe between the eighth and tenth centuries C.E. They were called "Gypsies" because Europeans mistakenly believed they came from Egypt. This minority is made up of distinct groups called "tribes" or "nations."

Rom: Gypsies of East European origin who arrived after 1880. Mostly urban, they are scattered across the entire country. One of the larger groups in the US, possibly in the 55-60,000 range. Romnichels: English Gypsies who arrived beginning in 1850.

Jazz Manouche (Gypsy Jazz) is said to have begun with the nomadic Gypsy guitarists between Belgium and France in the late 1920s. Many of them were employed by Auverge-style bal musette ensembles that supplied music for public dances.

Django Reinhardt Django Reinhardt: the father of Gypsy Jazz.

The history of gypsy jazz begins with Django Reinhardt, though many would argue that gypsy jazz is Django Reinhardt.

It can also be referred to as Romany dance, due to the Romany name given to the traditional, proud gypsies. Gypsy dance, the folk dancing of Romany people from all over the world, are dances of graceful and joyful movements, expressing freedom, passion and playfulness.

Different Types of Jazz Music

• Swing. The name is something new, like the music it produced.
• Bebop. Bebop jazz musical was heavily influenced by Swing, but it wasn't the same.
• Hard Bop.
• Cool Jazz.
• Modal Jazz.
• Free Jazz.
• Post Bop.
• Smooth Jazz.

a member of a group of people who travel from place to place esp. in Europe and who originally came from northern India, or anyone who travels often and does not live in one place for long. (Definition of Gypsy from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)