One of the pioneers of the American Gypsy Jazz movement, the John Jorgenson Quintet, will make a special afternoon appearance at the Whidbey Center for the Arts on Sunday.
Gypsy jazz, sometimes called gypsy swing, began in the late 1920s and was popularized a decade later by guitarist Django Reinhardt. The music has echoes of Paris in those swinging years. Many performers, including Jorgenson, today include the Parisian Musette-style waltz in their repertoire.
In Gypsy jazz, guitar and violin are the main solo instruments, although clarinet and accordion also are common. The rhythm guitar is played using a distinct percussive technique, “la pompe,” which replaces the drums. An upright bass often fills out the ensemble.
In addition to gypsy jazz, Jorgenson is well-known as a stand-out guitarist. He’s played with Elton John, Barbra Streisand and Bonnie Raitt. He portrayed Reinhardt in the film, “Head in the Clouds.”
The John Jorgenson Quintet includes Jorgenson on guitar, Jason Anick on violin, Doug Martin on guitar, Simon Planting on bass and Rick Reed on percussion.
3 p.m., Sunday; Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Avenue, Langley; Tickets are $25; www.WICA online.com or 360-221-8268 or 800-638-7631.
Jackson Holtz; 425-339-3447; jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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