Red hot gypsy band highlights social justice in innovative gypsy swing style

Second full-length album by Occidental Gypsy delivers social substance within a Django-inspired gypsy swing infusion.

David Bromberg says "... great singing, fantastic guitar and violin work, with high energy originals that leave the crowd crazy. An awesome band."

LA Times says “…irresistible, a virtual definition of an era when jazz was often described as “hot” music. Occidental Gypsy’s rhythm section, usually driven by the surging rhythm guitar of Brett Feldman, hit one irresistible rhythmic groove after another, “hot” was the best applicable adjective.”

44070  - Occidental Gypsy's Second Full-length CD (Long Description)

Written by Brett Lee Feldman, and arranged by Feldman and Bishop, the songs on the full-length album 44070 go far beyond the band's popular (pop-meets-gypsy cover music) roots. This full-length release shoots complex, vibrant original pieces into the music-sphere that are timeless and culturally timely.

Brett Lee Feldman's original compositions carry the mood of the album, and are complemented by tunes made famous by Django Reinhardt, and notable covers like “Over the Rainbow.”  Feldman’s instrumental piece “Children's March” opens with a glockenspiel, and carries forward with prodigy Eli Bishop’s moving violin. The song includes many percussive ‘stops,’ perhaps that reflect Feldman’s feeling about the civil rights action by the same name. Feldman's also cites the writing of this song fueled by his disgust at the Birmingham mayor's brutal actions at the time of the heroic de-segregationist's march. The song, he states, also serves as an apology to the children personally affected.  » » Detailed liner notes & streaming samples are available for each song here.

Title Track VRBA 

“44070: Song for Vrba,” has a multi-part arrangement that explores the story of a real-life hero, Rudolph Vrba. Vrba was able to escape despite numerous obstacles and make his way to Budapest. Instead of going into hiding (which was his safest choice), Vrba went to the Jewish Council and told them of the atrocities he witnessed and the tens of thousands of murders occurring daily. It is estimated that because of his actions, Rudolph Vrba saved as many as 200,000 Hungarians and people the Nazis considered "not fit for life.”

The 5 minute instrumental piece is executed in a supremely tight “hot club, Django-inspired, gypsy fusion” style by a band who has spent the last decade playing to enthusiastic crowds at legendary jazz clubs, art houses and concert venues across the US. The title track was written, and is performed, in two distinct parts. The first part is titled “#44070,”  which was the number tattooed on Vrba's forearm in Auschwitz. While the entire piece is in memoriam to Mr. Vrba, this introductory segment honors all those who had been disfigured and dehumanized during the final solution. The second part of the song picks up the pace... still a bit sad and mysterious, but much faster and with greater instrumentation and verve. This part of the song musically explores the challenges and drama of such a heroic escape.

Having transformed from its early days as a gypsy swing cover band, "OG” still deftly reinvents well-known pieces like “I’ll See You in My Dreams” and Django Reinhardt’s “Tears.” The album includes more of their own pop-influenced, well-traveled tunes. “Gypsy Blues (She’s Back)” features the sultry vocals of Jeremy Frantz, to which The Chicago Tribune said there is "a heartfelt quality and reedy tone of Frantz's singing [that] disarmed listeners," and that "Frantz brought the large crowd to near silence through the warmth and openness of his singing.”

Band Lineup

Brett Lee Feldman, lead guitarist and primary composer/arranger of the music, building songs with traditional gypsy swing and folk feel.

Eli Bishop, whose Jazz at Lincoln Center appearances, youth and speed clapping (please see notes on original track “Messalina”), rouse their crowds into an emotional fervor. Bishop has co-producer credits and co-arranger credits on most songs.

Jeremy Frantz, formidable jazz guitarist, jazz educator, and primary vocalist

Jon Chapman, percussionist who readily adds inventive beats that move from eastern european to rock band gentility.

Jeff “JPhat" Feldman, who co-founded the band as bassist, and serves as executive producer and spiritual mentor for the band.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Press Contact: Elizabeth Mullen Matteson       Email: em@elizabethmullen.com
Band/Booking Contact:  Brett Feldman            Email: Brett.Feldman@ppsd.org    
                                                                           Phone: 401-742-6397