Seonaid Aitken A Gypsy Celebration

1. Ben Bernie/Maceo Pinkard/Kenneth Casey (1925)

This well-known tune became my jazz hero Stephane Grappelli’s signature number on his solo tours. The audience would applaud in recognition after he’d played just the opening few notes! He was famous for playing it the band Le Quintette du Hot Club de France with his ‘partner in crime’ Belgian guitarist . Together they created the genre ‘Gypsy Jazz’ which would also be known as ‘Jazz Manouche' or ‘Hot Club’.

2. Autumn Leaves Joseph Kosma/Jacques Prevert/Johnny Mercer (1945)

One of the most popular ‘standards’ in jazz, this song was written by a Hungarian with lyrics added by a Frenchman and then translated into English by an American. It has a beautiful descending chord progression underneath the melody which, in turn, is full of pathos.

3. Douce Ambience Django Reinhardt (circa 1943)

This composition, by the great virtuoso guitarist Django Reinhardt, is a favourite amongst Gypsy Jazz musicians. Translating to ‘Sweet Mood’, it’s minor key, with the added major 6th degree of the scale, creates that dark sound world unique to the genre. 4. After You’ve Gone Turner Layton/Henry Creamer (1918)

The great Bessie Smith - ‘Empress of the ’ - recorded this song in her inimitable style back in the 1920s. It’s now firmly in the Gypsy Jazz canon and can be heard across the world at jam sessions as far as Nepal!

5. Django Reinhardt (circa 1940)

Translating from French to English as ‘Clouds’, this is one of Django’s most famous compositions. He recorded it numerous times with different line-ups in different keys (violinists prefer the G major version!). It has such a haunting melody full of chromaticism.

6. It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) /Irving Mills (1931)

This is my take on my favourite jazz singer ’s version from her 1957 GRAMMY-winning album ‘Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book’. Duke Ellington’s band accompanied Ella on that recording and this song featured Stuff Smith - one of the leading American jazz violinists of that time.

Thanks to the Hot Club of Glasgow and karaoke-version.co.uk for the backing tracks for this performance.

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