Palinka brings Gypsy jazz from France

Bringing their own brand of 'Gypsy jazz' to Colombo, the group Palinka will be seen in Concert on September7 at 7 p.m. at the Samudra Ballroom, Hotel Taj Samudra.

Gypsy jazz (also known as "Gypsy Swing") is said to have been started by the Ferré brothers in the late 1920s, and later became popular due to the work of guitarist Django Reinhardt in the 1930s. Because its origins are largely in France, it is often known by the French name, "Jazz manouche," or alternatively, "manouche jazz," even in English.[1] Django was foremost among a group of guitarists working in and around Paris in the late 1920s and 30s.

The members of this group met in Paris in 2003 and went on tour in a van, performing in the streets, at bars and at jazz festivals. Their first 'real' tour was in 2004, when they toured France and the Balkans travelling up to Romania. In 2005 they toured intensively with concerts in bars, at various festivals in Paris and in the countryside. More and more their own creations started replacing the traditional Jazz manouche.

In 2006 the band recorded their first album "Un malin Plaisir". Gypsy jazz, along with traditional Gypsy music, is learned by the passing down of knowledge from older generations. Many Gypsy musicians do not read notated music. It is more common for beginners to spend hours learning and memorizing songs from recordings and gleaning techniques from more experienced players.
In Gypsy jazz, guitar and violin are the main solo instruments, although clarinet and accordion are also common. The rhythm guitar is played using a distinct percussive technique, "la pompe", that essentially replaces the drums.

An upright bass fills out the ensembles. Although many instrumental lineups exist, a group including one lead guitar, violin, two rhythm guitars, and bass is often the norm.Tickets for the show are available at the Alliance Française from August 23.