Spyglass Gypsies & Crystal Barreca

Sydney bands Spyglass Gypsies and the Crystal Barreca Band bring an evening of gypsy jazz and old-fashioned swing music to the Tomerong Hall on Saturday August 30.

SPYGLASS GYPSIES

Following the release of their debut album earlier this year, the group has had national airplay on ABC Classic FM, Triple J, was feature album of the week on Eastside FM and was recently awarded an Australian Arts Council touring grant.  This upcoming performance at the Tomerong Hall will be one of the group's last in NSW for 2014 before they begin touring nationally.

Spyglass Gypsies are Richard Ashby and Cameron Jones on Manouche guitars, Loretta Palmeiro on clarinet and soprano saxophone, Andrew Scott on accordion and Shannon Haritos on double bass. Established in 2010 by Ashby and Palmeiro, the group formed through studying and performing in previous jazz projects. “We love the history and traditions of Gypsy Jazz music”. Guitarist and band leader Richard Ashby said. “But we also love contributing to the genre with our own compositions, bringing a modern slant to the traditional style”.

With numerous appearances at high profile venues and festivals including Camelot Lounge, the Art Gallery of NSW, Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival, Illawarra Jazz and Folk Festivals, the Oz Manouche Gypsy Jazz Festival and support for international touring artists such as Lollo Meier and Remi Harris, the group have brought their extensive live performance experience to the studio. “Gypsy Jazz is essentially a live music genre,” Ashby said. “It was very important to us to capture the energy, spontaneity and creativity of our live performances on the record, which we did”.

Combining traditional French gypsy songs with swinging originals Spyglass Gypsies bring the bygone days of bohemian Paris into the present with the lyrical sounds of accordion, clarinet and the percussive 'la pompe' of gypsy guitars. Energetic and playful, this group are sure to set feet tapping, legs dancing and smiles to the faces of all those who hear them at the Tomerong Hall on Saturday August 30.

www.spyglassgypsies.com
www.facebook.com/spyglassgypsies

CRYSTAL BARRECA BAND

Crystal Barreca is a chanteuse who weaves stories of love and adventure with gypsy and jazz exoticism.
Her five-piece band organically blends acoustic instruments with a modern world music twist.  Their show will ignite your soul and create a swinging atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era.
Crystal released her 'Dreaming' EP in 2012 and has toured it up and down the east coast of Australia.  She has previously shared the stage with the likes of Lanie Lane, Dan Barnett, Jeff Duff and supported the Royal Crown Review and James Morrison.  She has performed at many major festivals throughout Australia and many major venues.
Crystal started her journey with music as a self-taught trumpet player in high school.  After school she studied music at UNSW and has been a music educator for many years now.
Crystal spent several years playing trumpet and singing with Sydney's premier all-girl Sirens Big Band, but found herself drawn to singing more and more. She spent the next two years studying jazz singing at ANU with two of Australia's most distinct jazz voices Vince Jones and Kristin Berardi.
Now working primarily with the Crystal Barreca Band, her tales of love and adventure are brought to life with beautiful melodies, interesting horn lines and intoxicating grooves.

www.crystalbarreca.com
www.facebook.com/CrystalBarreca