Petites Annonces plays its share of Gypsy jazz classics, including Django’s “Swing 42,” “Douce Ambiance,” and “Django’s Tiger” as well as Paul “Tchan Tchou” Vidal’s finger-torturing waltz, “La Gitane.”
The group’s versions are less about staying true to the original or showing off their virtuosity. Instead, they brand the songs with their own character and sense of fun while keeping alive the spirit of swing.
Vocalist Jipe Gerardin leads a band with no fewer than three guitars, plus bass and violin! Established in 2005, Petites Annonces have played at places like the London Mecca of Gypsy jazz The Quecumbarand the prestigious March Manouche Festival in Wales. Be prepared to hear something different avec un accent Français!
“The beautiful swinging melodies transported us to a Parisian cafe, intimate and utterly hypnotising. The double bass set the beat to a foot tapping Gypsy-jazz backdrop, with a smoky and rasping vocal that drew us in and enchanted.”—North Devon Journal