Une Petite Cafe

Friday night my cousin and I ventured to a quaint French café for our bi-weekly gab fest. We eat there quite often; it may have something to do with the garlic fries with Cajun aioli sauce.

As we enjoyed our salads, I noticed 3 guys setting up their instruments right next to us. I envisioned us screaming at each other for the rest of the night. (And yes, I do realize that even having that thought qualifies me as being "old".) C’est la vie!

We were both pleasantly surprised to find that the music was not only enjoyable but intoxicating. We sat there for several hours, while we listened to the music.

I finally asked Christine, “What IS this music?” It was very French, very Parisian café and enjoy your Bordeaux while wearing your beret. (Oui.) I wasn’t too sure if it was the wine but, I so enjoyed the music that I was bound and determined to find out what exactly it was.

After spending just a few minutes online, I found it. The music I heard is referred to as Jazz Manouche (or “gypsy jazz”). This type of instrumental jazz was said to be started by guitarist Django Reinhardt in Paris the 1930’s. A typical jazz manouche ensemble consists of a few basic elements: an upright bass, 2 guitars and perhaps a violin. The guitars are played with a particular technique called “la pompe”, which is the equivalent to staccato with a piano.

There’s a bit of dark connotation associated with jazz manouche. This could be the gypsy heritage of this music. Though I didn’t make the connection at the time, the style of guitar almost reminds me of a flamenco concert I attended in Granada… but not.

I quickly found that I was not the only one who appreciates gypsy jazz. The itunes store has a quite extensive collection of gypsy jazz. Check it out… and don’t forget to wear your beret. Oui, Oui…