Gypsy Research Essay

loumt123

Hey all -

I'm in college, and my english professor is letting us choose the topic for the paper we want. I'd like to pay homage to the art of Gypsy Jazz guitar, but I'm curious to know If there is enough info to help me fill up a 1500 word essay...you know; some more concrete facts and less guessing of how it all developed. If there is no real way to summarize it in an essay, I think I'm going to do the construction of the guitar. Any help, resources, opinions would be great!

MichaelHorowitz

You could write a dissertation on Gypsy jazz (actually that's what I'm doing!!!)

Take a look at some of these books for starters:

https://shoppingcart.djangobooks.com/ca ... raphy.html


And see:

http://www.djangobooks.com/archives/200 ... urope.html

Klezmorim

1500 words? No problem! You could write a graduate thesis on the history of Gypsy Jazz. When is your essay due?

If you have the time, pick up a copy of Michael Dregni's book "Django: The Life and Music of a Gypsy Legend" (ISBN-10: 0195304489). The early chapters are a good source of historical information on the evolution of this genre.

Also check out these links for background info:

viewtopic.php?t=3124&highlight=timeline

viewtopic.php?t=17

viewtopic.php?t=995

-k

EDIT: Doh! Michael beat me to the "Submit" by 5 minutes!!

loumt123

I have plenty of time, so I'll pick up that book. The topic is due after spring break, so I have a couple weeks before I even have to pick a topic. Just wanted to get a head start.

Of the above books, which do you think has the most historical information? I don't have alot of money to spend, so I need to make the most of my resources. Thanks again

Stackabones

Not sure if you are in the USA or not ... but if you are, and funds are tight, check into Interlibrary Loans. You can get books from all over the country, especially helpful to students.

loumt123

Yes I'm in the USA. Thanks for the resource.

Klezmorim

loumt123 wrote:

Of the above books, which do you think has the most historical information? I don't have alot of money to spend, so I need to make the most of my resources. Thanks again

Chapters 1 & 2 of Dregni's book offer a very concise history of the musical antecedents of Django's style. The afterword, "Gypsy Jazz" is a 10-page summation of the history of this music since Django's death.

Your main challenge will be what to leave out!

loumt123

I don't really have 30 bucks for "Gypsy Jazz" by Dregni. Best alternative? What about his other book...is it as informative?

Plus I just noticed "Gypsy Jazz" isn't out 'till April..that's cutting it a little close anyway.

Klezmorim

loumt123 wrote:

I don't really have 30 bucks for "Gypsy Jazz" by Dregni. Best alternative? What about his other book...is it as informative?

Plus I just noticed "Gypsy Jazz" isn't out 'till April..that's cutting it a little close anyway.

"What we have here is a failure to communicate." In Dregni's book "Django: The Life and Music of a Gypsy Legend" on page 269 is a section entitled "Afterword: Gypsy Jazz." Sorry for any confusion.

Presumably, his new book is an expansion of this small section.

BTW: I understand the financial "challenges" of being a "stoont": "Some" decades after finishing my undergrad degree, I completed my Masters last year. I estimate that I will be making my final student loan payment with my first Social Security check. [sigh]

loumt123

We are in tough times

Thanks for the help! I appreciate it.

Elliot

Stackabones wrote:

Not sure if you are in the USA or not ... but if you are, and funds are tight, check into Interlibrary Loans. You can get books from all over the country, especially helpful to students.

I know for a fact that it is on the shelf here in the Music Library of the UW.

If you do order it try to ignore the Cheetoh stains on page 124.