Manouche are a Gypsy Jazz act from Stellenbosch / Cape Town. For those of you who did not know, Gypsy Jazz (which is also known as gypsy swing or hot club jazz) is a style of jazz music often said to have been started by guitarist Jean “Django” Reinhardt in the 1930s. Because its origins are largely in France it is often called by the French name, “jazz manouche”, or alternatively, “manouche jazz”, even in English language sources.
I watched Manouche perform at Mieliepop earlier in this year and was pleased when I found out that they would be performing at Oppikoppi 2016 this year. I have a feeling that they’re going to get the crowd dancing in no time during their set.
Just have a listen their song “Swing Revolution” below and you might agree with me:
I recently had a chat to Manouche about Oppikoppi and a few other things. This is what they had to say:
When you think of Oppikoppi, what comes to mind?
Honestly it’s our first time, but we’re going in with no expectations, but we hear it’s amazing.
What are you currently working on?
We’re currently busy writing for our upcoming album, preparing the music so it’s going to be properly entertaining.
What is your favourite quote about Jazz Music?
“It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing”.
If you could colab with a legendary SA Artist, who would that be and why?
The people we really wanted to work with died already, but we’d like to mix Gypsy Jazz with Micasa’s music and also a poet called Lebo.
What can music lovers expect from your set at Oppikoppi 2016?
Peeps can expect a party set, dancey, bouncy , make-you-happy kind of music.
I’d like to thank Manouche for this interview and to wish them all the best with their first Oppikoppi experience.
General Admission tickets for Oppikoppi cost R850. Get yours now or you’ll be paying R950 for a late ticket.
Watch this space for regular updates in the Music and Interviews categories on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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