As history tells, during the late '80s and early '90s a fad was born that would soon mature and sweep the nation, becoming terrifyingly inescapable: The Swing Revival. For those of us who were conscious--most of the time--and understandably cynical from the lingering effects of the Watergate scandal, the recession-riddled '70s, the 8-year rule of a clown-turned-President, and the first "real" war led by the United States since Vietnam, it seemed grotesquely nostalgic. How could it be that, after all we knew and all we'd been through, some of us were willingly--willingly!--throwing on petticoated dresses and baggy suits, swinging each other 'round to post-WWII Big Band jazz and jump blues like the world hadn't utterly, irrevocably changed? How, we asked, how?!
Any amount of fair examination beyond our passionately righteous indignation, of course, would have told us that when folks feel extreme levels of stress and worry they seek solace in fun--silly fun, sweaty fun, you-name-it fun! And realizing that, the only remaining rational complaint we can have against these '80s-'90s kids is that they didn't include the hands down best kind of swing jazz at their shindigs, and that is gypsy swing jazz.
Most associated with the brilliant guitarist/composer Jean-Baptiste "Django" Reinhardt (1910-1953), gypsy jazz--or jazz manouche in the fancy French--is performed by small ensembles, with guitar and violin as lead instruments. Given its roots in the Roma culture--do not use the term "gypsy" when referring to the people or culture unless ya want a good talkin' to--the songs often begin slow and then rapidly rise to a blistering tempo, which is perfect for swing dancing.
Keeping this tradition alive locally is Swing Chevron--Allen Russell (Violin), Scott Hlavenka (Guitar), Barry Paul Clark (Bass) and Paul Westfahl (Percussion)--a quartet of highly talented fellers who definitely know how to do it right. How do I know that? Well, firstly, I've personally had the pleasure to hear/see 'em jam at their regular Gypsy Swing Night gig at Von Trier at Farwell and North, and, secondly, I've watched this video more a few times:
Founder Allen Russell recently took the time to share a bit o' detail on the group:
"Swing Chevron is a gypsy swing group that I started so as to play my own original compositions in a more violin-centric swing style. Our guitarist Scott Hlavenka is an old friend of mine and is well known in the Milwaukee gypsy jazz scene. Our bassist Barry Clark and percussionist Paul Westfahl are also well known in the jazz and classical scenes here in Milwaukee and the greater Midwest. Our sound ranges from straight ahead gypsy jazz to New Orleans swing to American Jug Band music."
And with that, you now know enough to say, "That sounds like a band I wanna here!" To which I nod my head, accompanied by an affirmative "Mmhm, told ya."
So, as if by the power of some magical genie whose sole aim is to fulfill this desire you had no idea you had until now, Swing Chevron will be performing this Sunday at Anodyne Coffee's Walker's Point Roastery. Not only that, but they'll be joined by another stellar gypsy jazz group currently on tour, Jason Anick and the Rhythm Future Quartet, whose formidable skill can be witnessed here:
Wow, just wow.
Okay, so the deal is, ya don't have to dance if ya don't want to. Folks who know Cricky will tell ya I'm not much of a swinger... uh, ha-ha, swing dancer, that is--in fact, I'm not either one of those things--but what they'll also tell ya is that I am ALWAYS down to hear some swingin' tunes that make me sway a bit to-and-fro, and you can do that, too!
But if ya do wanna dance--swing or some variation thereof--you are greatly encouraged to do so and you won't be alone in the doing of it. As Russell told me,
"Our last show at Anodyne Walker's Point was wonderful! We work in conjunction with Cream City Swing to make it a swing dance event and last time there was a great attendance, both listeners and dancers."
Okay, so get on down to Anodyne Coffee, 224 W. Bruce Street in Milwaukee, this Sunday, September 14, at 8:30PM sharp. Cover is a mere $10 and ya can't get more awesome gypsy swing jazz for your buck than that, can ya? No, no ya can't.
(Thanks, Allen!)
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