Hello gypsy jazzers!
If you want to learn and master
gypsy jazz, you must learn the classic waltzes in the gypsy tradition. Apart from the “maitre” himself, Django Reinhardt, Wasso Grunholz was a major exponent of these compositions, which according to some are in essence, studies. Uninterested in fame or economic gain, Grunholz never bothered recording his masterpieces but his and Django Reinhardt’s “disciples” (today’s superstars in the genre such as Fapy Lafertin, Stochelo Rosenberg, Jimmy Rosenberg, Yorgui Loeffler, etc.) have been more than happy to pass on his word.
This particular recording belongs to the virtuoso Jimmy Rosenberg. This “finger-burner” alternates between the key of E minor and its relative G major, making full use of minor, minor harmonic scales, as well as beautifully interwoven chromatic passages. If you want to achieve the typical staccato sound of the gypsy jazz tradition, make sure you apply the rest-stroke and down-stroke techniques utilized by the gypsy masters; in any case, the music is beautiful any way you play it.
Dario Napoli
About the author:
Dario Napoli is one of the most versatile, multi-dimensional players you will hear today. Accomplished player, composer and improviser, Dario plays proficiently in a variety of genres, from
gypsy jazz to straight jazz, blues, rock, pop, fusion, etc. In his latest solo project however,
DIENNE MANOUCHE , Dario released
GYPSY BOP (Drycastle Records), album in which Dario decided to pay homage to two of his greatest influences, legendary gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and sax icon Charlie Parker. The all-acoustic recording blends the romantic nostalgia of 30s with the virtuoso playing of american bebop from the 50s. Dario started playing the guitar at the age of 12 and grew up admiring a variety of guitarists. Far from a jazz snob, Dario never listened to jazz exclusively and was also a major fan of rock, blues, and pop. The guitarists that he admires range from Django, George Benson and Pat Metheny to rock icons like Hendrix, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Besides performing regularly throughout Europe and the U.S., he also heads the guitar department at the music school VARCOBIANCO LABORATORIO MUSICALE (
www.varcobianco.it)
Misc : Dario Napoli: Valse De Wasso By Jimmy Rosenberg
(9.7, 16 votes)
