- Brisbane’s youthful and exuberant Gypsy Jazz septet Cigány Weaver has reached a career milestone with the release of their self-titled debut album. Having relied on developing their repertoire in live performance of jazz and manouche standards in the past, they’re now serving out the synthesis of the new and old: an evocative set of unheard original songs.
With their devotion to the legacy of Hot Club Quintet and the legendary Stephane Grapelli and Django Reinhardt, the addition of their own compositions shoots them into the firmament, as one of this country’s most delightful gypsy-jazz ensembles.
Lead guitarist Rory Dollard and vocalist Jo Davie give the joie de vivre to much of their new material whilst Gareth Mewes provides the tzigane fiddle dynamics to their new set list and the characteristic swing- manouche, bounces and lopes along to the rhythm guitar of Connor McDonald. Adding class and lifting up the rhythm section is the recent addition of percussion from Kym Ambrose of The View From Madeleine’s Couch. Oh and bassist Liam Butler, not to be left out, has composed Janome, one of the highlights of Cigány Weaver’s eponymous album.
The band's dreamy cover of Radiohead song Weird Fishes/Arpeggi reveal a wistfulness and sense of adventure that’s confirmed on their very own jazz-end song Clouds. Jazz standards Coquette, Sweet Georgia Brown and I’ll Be Seeing You are included to chart out their musical meanderings to date. You can find where they're at now, neatly encapsulated and boldly arriving with the opener Make Do and also Swing De Tarzanetti (or Tarzan Swings) which are most definitely creations of their very own 21st Century gypsy- jazz standards.
Having already tried out their new material in a series of concerts from Brisbane to Melbourne and back again before the official launch last week at Lefty’s, their future prospects are looking healthy. Despite their name being a subtlely odd nod to the talents of actress Sigourney Weaver, navigating the web pages to their YouTube performances is a task from very different realms to be enjoyed. Cigány Weaver literally do weave the tzigane or gypsy vibes so popular throughout the Gypsy-jazz diaspora today. Inducing exciting, sensuous dancing and foot tapping good times the band deserve your attention in an ever increasing choice of talented young musicians Brisbane has on offer.
- Rick Heritage.