Occidental Gypsy
- Eugene, OR
- 09/22/2017
About
Dr. Lonnie Smith says "I love Occidental Gypsy’s new CD 44070. The compositions and arrangements are uniquely creative. They perform with enormous heart and soul and have an original groove that is definitely worth checking out."
“Occidental Gypsy is a crowd pleaser. Jaunty vocals, lots of swing, and evocative violin and guitar interplay make this an act to catch and enjoy. They were a big hit at Djangofest Mill Valley ’15.” – Nicholas Lehr, Executive Promoter of Djangofest
Chicago Tribune Jazz Critic Howard Reich: “sonic pleasures to be had, particularly in an energetic, gypsy-jazz transformation of Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” which opened the evening. More than once, vocalist-guitarist Frantz brought the large crowd to near silence through the warmth and openness of his singing, as in “Georgia on My Mind.” read full review
Occidental Gypsy delivers an exhilarating blend of gypsy swing, jazz and world music with a rousing acoustic sound.
Nationally recognized Occidental Gypsy plays a dynamic, multi-genre mix of original vocal and instrumental pieces along with many notable covers like a “gypsyfied” take of Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
The Boston Globe has named them a “Best Bet for Weekend Entertainment,” and musician David Bromberg said of the group, “great singing, fantastic guitar and violin work, with high energy originals that leave the crowd crazy. An awesome band.”
Occidental Gypsy’s sound appeals to a wide spectrum of listeners, and their shows consistently draw enthusiastic audiences at colleges, arts centers, festivals and clubs.
The band has found a powerfully seismic acoustic sound as they play a dynamic mix of original vocal and instrumental pieces--and a few memorable standards-- to exhilarated crowds. Occidental Gypsy's music cannot be easily classified; a bit of jazz, a catchy strain of pop, and "a whole lotta’ gypsified swing…"
Occidental Gypsy features award-winning violin prodigy Eli Bishop who has played with Wynton Marsalis and Bill Evans of the Miles Davis Group, and still plays at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Occidental Gypsy has played to solid and sold out crowds at the legendary Nighttown in Cleveland, Old Town School of Folk Music and The Green Mill in Chicago, the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, the Ark in Ann Arbor Michigan and The Triple Door in Seattle, among many others.
The band has shared the stage with such greats as Rikki Lee Jones, Jorma Kaukenen, Stanley Jordan, Joe Sample, and David Bromberg, among others and the band recently played to a sold out show at the 2015 DjangoFest in Mill Valley, California-- a prestigious homage to Gypsy Swing master Django Reinhardt.
Downloadable Press Assets: www.occidentalgypsy.com/press
Jazz | World Music/Traditional | Blues
Links
- Occidental Gypsy Website
- Tour Dates
- YouTube Channel
- Occidental Gypsy on SoundCloud
- Occidental Gypsy EPK
Source
Red hot gypsy band delivers far more than swinging sound
Let us know if you would like a pair of tickets to the show, or to set up radio/studio interview. These guys deliver - Publicist can be reached at em@elizabethmullen.com or band directly at occidentalgypsy@gmail.com
Occidental Gypsy plays an exhilarating blend of gypsy swing, jazz and world music that enraptures the listener with a complex acoustic sound, burnished by smooth vocals reminiscent of the first era of swing.
DR. LONNIE SMITH says “I love Occidental Gypsy’s new CD 44070. The compositions and arrangements are uniquely creative. They perform with enormous heart and soul and have an original groove that is definitely worth checking out.”
Their latest CD is titled "44070," the number tattooed on the arm of a hero of historical proportions. Rudolph Vrba saved as many as 200,000 Hungarians and people the Nazis considered “not fit for life,” after escaping Auschwitz in 1944. His experience is well-documented in literature, and the composition written by founding band member, Brett Feldman, tells Vrba's story as a near-cinematic piece, with strong musical chops and palpable emotion.
Nationally recognized Occidental Gypsy plays a dynamic, multi-genre mix of original vocal and instrumental pieces, as well as notable covers like a “gypsified” take on Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Their upcoming CD release promises new originals like "Tonight" and known covers (with a hot club vibe) like "Over the Rainbow."
The Boston Globe has named them a “Best Bet for Weekend Entertainment,” and musician David Bromberg said of the group, “great singing, fantastic guitar and violin work, with high energy originals that leave the crowd crazy. An awesome band.”
Well known as capable heirs and nouveau pioneers of the music of Django Reinhardt, Occidental Gypsy was featured at the DjangoFest in Mill Valley, California. The band has filled the house in legendary venues such as Nighttown in Cleveland, Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, The Ark in Ann Arbor, The Triple Door in Seattle and the Old Town School of Folk and The Green Mill in Chicago. Their acoustic speed and vigor fills the room like an electric show, and often encites dancing.
The band has shared the stage with greats like Rikki Lee Jones, Jorma Kaukenen, Stanley Jordan, Joe Sample, Tony Rice, and David Bromberg. Band members have also participated in side projects that have brought them around the world alongside legends, like the 25 year old Eli Bishop who has played with Wynton Marsalis, and regularly performs at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
The band features Eli Bishop, a Nashville prodigy who's won 1st Place in the Mississippi Fiddle Championships, and a Guinness World Record for world's fastest clapping (yes, really!).
Eli routinely stuns crowds with his exceedingly passionate violin. Lead guitarist and composer Brett Feldman drives the sound with masterful gypsy swing guitar, learned the "traditional way" (by ear from masters). Jeremy Frantz — a protege of legendary jazz guitarist Joe Negri— brings his sultry, “retro” vocals and expert jazz guitar to the front line, and serves as an exquisite counterpoint to the down-and-dirty driving sound brought by Brett. Percussionist Jon Chapman and bassist Jeff Feldman fill out the band’s rich sound and keep crowds moving with beats and complex rhythms that make their audience keep coming back for more.
Occidental Gypsy’s sound is appealing to a wide spectrum of people, and their shows consistently attract enthusiastic audiences at colleges, arts centers, festivals, concert halls and clubs. Their fans include musicians who enjoy the sophisticated compositions and masterful play, but most folks just come to enjoy the music and dance. The band has found a unique beat and brings to every show a dynamic mix of original vocal and instrumental pieces– and a few memorable standards– in fun, exhilarating performances. Occidental Gypsy’s music cannot be easily classified; a bit of jazz, a catchy strain of pop, a seismic swing experience, and “a whole lotta’ gypsified groove…”
Occidental Gypsy is: Eli Bishop – violin, Jeff Feldman- bass, Jeremy Frantz – vocals & guitar, Jon Chapman – percussion, and Brett Feldman – lead guitar, composer
Dispatch Details
| Event Notes: | On-line Ticket sales end the day of the event at 6:45pm. Tickets may be available at the door. |
| Ticket URL: | Click here |
| Ticket Phone: | (458) 205-1030 |
| Ticket Price(s): | $20 |
| Venue Link: | Click here |
| Venue Zip: | 97401 |
| Venue City, State: | Eugene, OR |
| Venue St. Address: | 124 W. Broadway |
| Venue: | The Jazz Station |
| Concert Start Time: | 7:30pm |
