Swing from Paris at Kennet Valley Village Hall

An evening of Parisian-flavoured jazz and Gypsy Swing

★ ★ ★ ★ “intelligent, interesting and inventive” THE JAZZ MANN

“excellent band…diverse numbers, smart arrangements" JAZZ JOURNAL

Swing from Paris are an all-string jazz quartet of violin, guitars and double bass, inspired by the music of the 1930s, ’40s and '50s.

Expect stylish jazz and vintage swing, from Benny Goodman, Charlie Christian and Artie Shaw to Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli and the master of tango Astor Piazzolla.

The group's Parisian-flavoured jazz and gypsy swing has been delighting audiences for over 15 years: from major jazz festivals including the Django Reinhardt Festival at Samois-sur-Seine, to the BBC’s Hairy Bikers and the opening of the award-winning Gloucester Services.

Tickets

Tickets £16 in advance, £18 on the door.

Early bird tickets at £15

Under 18s £10 (must be accompanied by an adult)

Timings

Doors open 7pm.

Performance 7.30pm - 9.30pm (including 20min interval).

Please bring your own drinks as there is NO BAR at this venue.

About the band:

Swing from Paris are Tomasz Williams (double bass), Andy Bowen (electric guitar), Fenner Curtis (violin), Sam Hughes (acoustic guitar).

They enjoy creating and playing their own arrangements of music they love, mostly inspired by the swing era of the 1930s and 1940s: including music by Gershwin, Piazzolla, Benny Goodman, Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli and the Hot Club of France. They’ve been seen on the BBC’s Hairy Bikers, and have appeared at major jazz festivals including Cheltenham, Brecon and the Django Reinhardt Festival at Samois sur Seine.

The band started out of a chance meeting of Andy Bowen and Fenner Curtis, when they both sat in at a Birmingham University jazz club jam session. Already fans of the music of the guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli, they started a group and began playing regularly across their home county of Gloucestershire.

Following formative years as a dedicated Django Reinhardt ensemble, they widened their repertoire to include many other greats of the era and beyond – and welcomed members Sam Hughes on guitar and Tomasz Williams on double bass in the late 2010s.

Their latest recording together is I Love Paris (2024), available on vinyl, CD and digital.

Listen

On Spotify or visit swingfromparis.co.uk

Find social links and mailing list via linktr.ee/swingfromparis

Audience comments:

"Absolutely wonderful"

"A truly spectacular and accomplished group”

“Fabulous musicians, fabulous arrangements. Can't recommend enough!”

“Highly recommended. Wonderful performance”

Reviews

★ ★ ★ ★ "their love for, and knowledge of, their chosen material is wide and deep, but nevertheless they put their own stamp on it" - THE JAZZ MANN

"successful partnering of acoustic with electric guitar distinguishes the band’s sound…symphonious violin, soulful guitar and heart-rending bass” Jazz Journal

"Clever interpretations and adaptations … what a performance by this Cotswold-based combo" – Nub News

"awe-inspiring…The band members have real rapport with one another" - Swindon Link