London's Gypsy Jazz Festival is back!

GJFL

Hey folks! Here's the full schedule for the Gypsy Jazz Festival of London 2023! Last year sold out almost across the board, and we can't wait for this edition in May 2023.

Thursday 4th May: Vortex Jazz Club - Olli Soikkeli Quartet feat. Julien Cattiaux

Olli Soikkeli was born in Nurmes, Finland, and is now based in NYC. Despite his modest age he has performed with Pasquale Grasso, Bucky Pizzarelli, Tommy Emmanuel, Cyrille Aimee and Stochelo Rosenberg. He has also featured at legendary American venues including Birdland Jazz Club, Blue Note and The Lincoln Centre.

Legendary Parisian guitarist Julien is one of the most in demand rhythm guitar specialists in the world and has played with a huge roster of profoundly influential gypsy jazz musicians, including Tchavolo Schmitt, Romane and Raphaël Fays. 

“One of the most adept and resourceful contemporary guitarists” - The New Yorker

Friday 5th May: LSO St Lukes - Fapy Lafertin Quartet | Shirley Smart Trio

Possibly the most celebrated Gypsy guitarist, Fapy Lafertin is widely recognised as the heir to Django Reinhardt’s crown. Lafertin was responsible for the 1970/80’s resurgence of the Django Reinhardt style with his first band Waso. His fifty years of performing has distinguished him as a truly great artist: harnessing an unmatched melodic sense, clarity of articulation and technique.

“Simply Irresistible” - The Guardian

Shirley Smart is recognised as one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists – being equally at home and well versed in jazz and Middle Eastern music, as well as classical music, she has worked with international artists including Avishai Cohen, Mulatu Asastke, and Alice Zawadski.

"One of the best improvising cellists in the UK" - The JazzMann

Saturday 6th May: Jago Dalston - RAKA Balkan Band, Coloriage, Sol Grimshaw Trio + Late Jam Session

RAKA are one of the UK’s best established Balkan music bands. They take their name from a traditional Bulgarian dance the ‘Raka,’ full of leg kicks, clicking heels and hands held high, the unmistakable groove of Raka brings everyone to their feet. Their music has strong roots in the folk traditions of Bulgaria and Macedonia, as well as the Romani music that spans far and wide across the Balkans.

“burst with traditional Balkan flair… the essential act of the weekend” - Nightshift Magazine

Sunday 7th May: Crazy Coq’s Soho - Tim Kliphuis Quartet feat. Cornelius Corkery Trio

Award-winning Dutch violinist Tim Kliphuis embraces classical, gypsy jazz and folk. Hailed as a ‘current-day improvising Paganini’, his inclusive and innovative approach to music has united audiences and is influencing a new generation of string players. The Cornelius Corkery Trio are a stalwart of the British Gypsy Jazz scene. Cornelius is host of the popular podcast ‘Gypsy Jazz Hangouts’ and performs prolifically across the country, as well as at prestigious venues in Europe including Sunset Sunside Paris.

“Playfully inventive and technically brilliant” - Time Out

 

Tickets: https://www.futurefable.com/gypsyjazz2023