The Best Guitar Players You’ve Never Heard Of’ by Dave Bradley. So says Donough Cleary Django Donegal: Gypsy Jazz Festival organiser as the two day event makes a welcome returns to the county this December. I caught up with Donough and asked him to explain what Gypsy Jazz is all about?
“It started off life in the 1930s and it’s a hybrid between conventional European Gypsy music and American Jazz.”
“It was pioneered by French Belgian Sinti guitarist Django Reinhart. After losing two fingers off his fretting hand he retaught himself guitar when he was a teenager.”
“He made his way to Paris where he formed the Quintette du Hot Club de France with violinist Stephane Grappelli.”
“Sadly he died young and the music nearly died out with him. It got a revival again in the 1970s and gained popularity in Holland and France primarily through musicians like Stochelo Rosenberg who is playing at this year’s festival.”
So when did you first become a Gypsy Jazz fan?
”When I was a kid my dad went to America to see his cousins and came back with a double LP that had a Django Reinhard tune on it. Once I heard it that was it for me”
Tell us a little bit about the history of the festival?
“The original festival was called Django Sur Lennon, a clever take on the name of the river Lennon as the festival was held in Ramelton over three nights. “
“This year’s festival is a two nighter but still with three concerts in the RCC in Letterkenny.”
What can we expect from this year’s festival?
“Unbelievable musicians, some of the best Guitar players you’ve never heard of. Whatever you think of the music itself the technique is incredible”
With prodigious guitarists, virtuoso violinists and legends of Gypsy Jazz playing a blend of traditional and contemporary.it promises to be an unforgettable weekend for lovers of incredible live music.
The festival takes place over two days with one show on Friday the 6th and two shows on Saturday the 7th of December in the fabulous auditorium at the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny.
Tickets are available from the Regional Cultural Centre box office priced at €20 per concert or a festival ticket for the discounted price of €50. The festival ticket includes access to all three concerts. In addition to the main performances, festival-goers can enjoy free sessions and pop-up late-night concerts in Blakes bar Letterkenny.
Get a taste for some Gypsy Jazz on YouTube
Full festival and booking details are available at www.regionalculturalcentre.com
BOOKING: Tickets are priced at €20 per concert or all concerts for €50. To avail of this offer add all three concerts to your basket and a discount will be issued.