Denis Chang brings gypsy swing jazz to Bud’s
Denis Chang, 2008 (YouTube video screenshot)
Mar 1, Invermere –
Columbia Valley Arts Council is partnering with Bud’s Bar and Lounge to bring Denis Chang’s outstanding Manouche Quartet to Invermere on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 and you don’t want to miss this major event on the local music scene.
Jazz manouche (aka gypsy jazz, aka gypsy swing) literally means ‘traveler’ jazz. Coming out of Paris in the 1920′s, the music blends traditional Roma (gypsy) forms which are already a mixture of various cultural traditions, with elements of American jazz and swing. It is memorable for its chugging rhythms, sweeping melodies and inventive improvised sketches.
Recognized as the pre-eminent proponent of gypsy jazz in Quebec, Denis Chang receives rave reviews wherever he performs, leaving audiences spell-bound. Jazz Podium of Germany says of him, “He plays faster than his shadow … Denis, however, who is also equally at ease with Bebop and other jazz styles, is somewhat of a Django cosmopolite. As such, he has assimilated both yesterday’s and today’s art forms.”
Denis learned at the feet of great manouche guitarists such as Fapy Lafertin, Ritary Gaguenetti, Paulus Schafer, Rindo Winterstein and Emmanuel Kassimo but quickly developed his own unique style, being inspired by Bach, Chopin, George Benson and Michael Jackson. He has produced tours for some of the outstanding stars of the genre and he often organizes workshops for music students to take advantage of the presence of these great musicians. He also teaches, benefiting nearly every performing gypsy jazz musician in Quebec and internationally as well, through his workshops, private lessons and DVDs.
He performed with the legendary Les Paul at the Iridium in New York in 2008, and in 2009 he received an award from Les entrées en scène Loto-Québec and the Residence Award in Quebec City.
Click arrow to begin. To go back or repeat, click anywhere on progress bar.
Doors open at Bud’s Bar and Lounge at 6:00pm with the show beginning at 8:30pm. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $23 at The Book Bar, Bud’s or Pynelogs Cultural Centre or will be available at the door for $25.
You can find out more about Denis Chang by visiting his website at http://www.denischang.com.
