Gypsy Jazz . . . the music of Django Reinhardt.

we are m&m productions, and we’ve been bringing great gypsy jazz to the rocky mountains of colorado since 2017. it’s time we created a festival . . .

where?

estes park, colorado – literally, at the entrance to rocky mountain national park.

when?

august 11, 12, & 13 2023

who?

Rhythm Future Quartet

Fogo no Trio

Aaron Walker, Laura Iyengar &

Swing Je T’aime

LAPOMPE

Jeremy Mohney & His Band

Alicia Jo Straka

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE!

email us if you are interested in sponsoring or making a donation at gypsyjazzcolorado@gmail.com

PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE OFTEN AS INFORMATION IS ADDED ALMOST DAILY

Need Lodging? Check out Ridgeline Hotel here:

http://www.ridgelinehotel.com

970-480-0110 (for reservations)

ESTES PARK IS VERY BUSY & SOME KEY ROADS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION—Please allow extra time to get from venue to venue—be safe!

Schedule

Friday Evening – August 11th

Amuse-Bouche Gypsy Manouche

@Twin Owls Steakhouse

(Reservations highly recommended)

970-586-9344 or online at taharaa.com

Rhythm Future Quartet

Fogo no Trio

Aaron Walker Trio

Max O’Rourke & Greg Loughman

Saturday, August 12th

Gypsy Jazz Workshops

10:30-2pm @ the American Legion Post 119

850 N. St Vrain Ave. Estes Park

Breakfast & Lunch available with $3 discount on $15+ orders for workshop attendees –

open at 8am

*See below for workshop offerings & descriptions

POP UP GYPSY JAZZ AROUND TOWN

Fogo no Trio @ Avant Garde Aleworks 2-4pm

920 Dunraven St

Aaron Walker Trio @ Snowy Peaks Winery

4-6pm

292 Moraine Ave—you may find free parking across from the winery or in neighboring Piccadilly Square

Rhythm Future Quartet @ Historic Park Theatre 7-8:30pm (doors open at 6pm)

130 Moraine Ave, Estes Park — please allow yourself plenty of time to find parking . . . or maybe park for Snowy Peaks Winery performance & walk to theatre afterwards . . . it is closeby.

Arrive early (6? 6:15?) to enjoy pre-show music on the patio performed by Alicia Jo Straka

Theatre Bar on the patio, serving Avant Garde Aleworks beer & Snowy Peak Winery wines.

The Riverwalk Cafe will be open until 7pm, serving delicious sandwiches & paninis—right next door to the theatre . . . riverside seating

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!!

https://historicparktheatre.com/movie/rhythm-future-quartet-

GYPSY JAZZ JAM @ American Legion Post 119 9-11pm

850 N Saint Vrain Ave

Bring your instrument & play under the stars

Sunday, August 13th

Max O’Rourke & Greg Loughman

Sunday Morning Brunch @ Mother’s Cafe

1480 Golf Course Rd

9-11am

GYPSY JAZZAPALOOZA

@ Performance Park 1-6pm

435 W. Elkhorn Ave

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/colorado-gypsy-jazz-festival-tickets-674869160827?aff=oddtdtcreator

15 & under are free admission, if accompanied by an adult. This is a PET FRIENDLY event!

BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIRS, PICNIC BLANKETS — Performance Park is a beautiful, grassy space. You may also want to bring a tarp to put under your blanket in case of rain (but it’s not gonna rain).

SIX ACTS IN ONE AFTERNOON!

featuring

Alicia Jo Straka

Jeremy Mohney & his Band

Swing Je T’aime

Fogo no Trio

LAPOMPE

Rhythm Future Quartet

FOOD TRUCKS & LOCAL BEER, WINE & SPIRITS ON SITE . . .

Rations Food Truck

Mangia Mangia Pizzeria Food Truck

Walrus Ice Cream Trailer

Snowy Peaks Winery, Avant Garde Aleworks, Lumpy Ridge Brewing, Rock Cut Brewing, Elkins Distilling (Whiskey & Vodka)

AFTERGLOW PARTY at TWIN OWLS STEAKHOUSE

Haven’t quite had your fill? Finish off the great weekend & come hear more gypsy jazz, enjoy light fare, signature cocktails & dessert in a relaxed, beautiful setting at Twin Owls Steakhouse. RFQ, Cesar Garabini & David Lawrence will be jamming from 7 to 9ish. Reservations highly recommended.

970-586-9344 or online at taharaa.com

WORKSHOPS

email us at gypsyjazzcolorado@gmail.com to sign up

Location: the American Legion Post 119

850 N Saint Vrain Ave

60 minutes/$30

Breakfast & Lunch available $3 discount on $15+ orders for workshop attendees — open at 8am

Gypsy Jazz Bass with Greg Loughman

10:30-11:30am

In this workshop bassist Greg Loughman will discuss creating basslines in the manouche jazz style, including swing, waltz, rumba, rumba waltz, and bolero. We will play together, and talk about the aspects of these styles that are unique to this musical genre.

Fretboard Logic with Aaron Walker

10:30-11:30am

Step into the rich, dynamic world of Gypsy Jazz and transform your musical journey with our detailed workshop focusing on fretboard mapping and mastery. The ability to intuitively navigate the guitar’s fretboard, recognizing your position at any given moment without the need for mental pause or hesitation, is a critical cornerstone in any guitarist’s skill set. This intuitive grasp is the bridge between the raw basics and the sublime, between a novice’s tentative plucking and the confident virtuosity of a maestro.

The mystery of the guitar fretboard can be deconstructed and understood through a handful of straightforward concepts. Far from being an impenetrable maze of strings and frets, the guitar fretboard can indeed be demystified, revealing a logical, approachable grid that can be learnt, memorized, and manipulated to create magical music.

Gypsy Jazz Violin with Jason Anick

11:30am-12:30pm

For this workshop, violinist extraordinaire Jason Anick will examine a standard swing tune and provide various classic licks and phrases to help you start improvising over that tune. Phrases will be taught by ear but will be supplemented with sheet music. He’ll also cover various stylistic approaches (vibrato, bowing, etc.) to help you get that authentic swing sound achieved by jazz violin greats like Stephane Grappelli and Joe Venuti. Jason will also breakdown some of the exercises in his new book, “Violin Fingerboard Mastery” published by Hal Leonard.

Introduction to Choro with Cesar Garabini, Ian Coury & Andrew “Finn” Magill

11:35am-12:35pm

Discover Choro history & the role of our instruments within choro. Explore music styles, interpretation of melodies and basic improvisation.

Gypsy Jazz Guitar with Max O’Rourke

12:45-1:45pm

Come explore tone, technique, and phrasing while performing the music of Django Reinhardt.

email us at gypsyjazzcolorado@gmail.com to sign up

WANT A LITTLE SAMPLER (OR TWO)?

LAPOMPE

http://www.lapompejazz.com/

RHYTHM FUTURE QUARTET

http://www.rhythmfuturequartet.com/

FOGO NO TRIO

JEREMY MOHNEY & HIS BAND

https://www.facebook.com/jeremymohneymusic?mibextid=LQQJ4d

https://jeremymohneymusic.bandcamp.com/album/gold-hill-serenade

SWING JE T’AIME

http://m.swingjetaime.com/?url=http://www%2Eswingjetaime%2Ecom%2F

ALICIA JO STRAKA

https://www.aliciajostraka.com/

–

JUST WHO ARE THESE GUYS? (MUSICIAN BIOS)

Rhythm Future Quartet Bio:

The acoustic jazz ensemble, Rhythm Future Quartet has a straightforward agenda: to keep the spirit of Gypsy jazz alive and expanding in today’s musical universe. The virtuosic foursome, named for a Django Reinhardt tune, offers up a newly minted sound, influenced by the classic Hot Club of France, yet wholly contemporary. Led by violinist Jason Anick, the quartet performs dynamic and lyrical arrangements of both Gypsy jazz standards and original compositions that draw upon diverse international rhythms and musical idioms. With Max O’Rourke, Henry Acker, and Greg Loughman rounding out the quartet, Rhythm Future Quartet is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of a vital musical genre.  The Fall of 2018 marked the release of their newest album, “Rhythm Future Quartet and Friends”, which features the critically acclaimed singer Cyrille Aimée, brazil’s top bandolimist Hamilton de Holanda, and world-renowned guitarist Stochelo Rosenberg. While maintaining the effervescent lilt, virtuosic musicianship and adventurous musical leanings of their previous recordings, Rhythm Future Quartet and Travels (picked as one of the best jazz albums of 2016 by All About Jazz and the Huffington Post), RFQ and Friends brings vibrant new colors to the mix. JazzTimes Magazine stated, “RFQ and Friends is packed to the gills with feeling and remains consistently dynamic, full of virtuosity and swing.” With its arresting blend of Hot Club of France styled string jazz, Brazilian and East European idioms, original compositions and hints of classical music, the album marks a significant moment in the growth of a continually evolving ensemble. (And one with continually increasing popularity: the quartet’s version of Django’s “Minor Swing” has over four million views on YouTube, while their video clip of “Bushwick Stomp” from Travels has over three million Facebook views.)  Jason Anick, an award-winning composer and one of the youngest violin professors at the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston, has shared the stage with an array of artists including Grammy award winning guitarist John Jorgenson, Stevie Wonder, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, and Tommy Emmanuel. Henry Acker is a young powerhouse jazz guitarist who performs both in the style of Django Reinhardt as well as traditional jazz. A child prodigy who began playing at age 8 and performing professionally at age 9, his talent and abilities have developed into nothing short of astonishing. Henry has already shared the stage with jazz greats Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Julian Lage, Bireli Lagrene and Vic Juris. He is a five-time winner of the Downbeat Magazine Student Award for jazz guitar soloist.

Guitarist Max O’Rourke, was the winner of the 2015 Saga Award from DjangoFest Northwest and at 22 has already toured/recorded with many of the top American Gypsy Jazz musicians including John Jorgenson and Gonzalo Bergara. Greg Loughman is a top call bassist in Boston and has been heard with such luminaries as Sheila Jordan, Curtis Fuller and George Garzone.

Fogo no Trio bio:

Fogo no Trio is an instrumental Brazilian trio featuring original music influenced by Brazilian choro and samba. The trio brings together several award-winning musicians: U.S. violinist Andrew Finn Magill, Brazilian mandolinist Ian Coury and Brazilian guitarist Cesar Garabini.

Longer blurb/bio on us and the concert:

Choro was the first popular Brazilian music, emerging in the 1870s, and is the precursor to samba, bossa nova and modern popular Brazilian music. Renowned for its virtuosic musicianship and diverse rhythmic palette, it is one of the most exciting instrumental genres on the planet. Andrew Finn Magill who has been featured on NPR and PBS, moved to Brazil in 2014 to immerse himself in Brazilian choro music. Magill was signed to Ropeadope Records in 2018 for his original Brazilian music project He followed up that release in 2021 with the sequel Festa! Says legendary Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira (Miles Davis, Chick Corea, etc): “He can fool you into thinking he is from Brazil!”

On the 7-string guitar is Brazilian-born Cesar Garabini, who moved to New York City in 2011 to expand his musical knowledge. Since then, he has performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazz Standard, Birdland, Columbia University, and the Museum of Modern Art. He has worked with Anat Cohen, Olli Soikkeli, Leny Andrade and Marcos Sacramento among others and has been featured on NPR, NBC and Brazil’s national TV network Globo.

On bandolim (Brazilian mandolin) is Ian Coury, who has been accruing professional awards and accolades since age 12. At 20 years old, he is one of Brazil’s most-respected virtuosos on the 10-string mandolin. As he continues to push the boundaries of the instrument and of the choro genre, he has performed with such luminaries as Hamilton de Holanda, Paquito D’Rivera, Claudio Roditi, and Toninho Horta, and in the past two years has received two important awards: “Best Instrumentalist” in the National FM Radio Festival (2020), and second place (by popular vote) in Brazil’s eFestival (2021), both for performances of original compositions.

Jeremy Mohney bio:

Jeremy Mohney has been leading a swing band out of Colorado for over a decade. Along with bandleading, his unique saxophone playing, vocals and original compositions bring a sound authentic to the feel of the swing era. Mohney and his band have been seen on stage at popular swing dance venues across the country and delights dancers and listeners alike.

Aaron Walker bio:

On August 19th, 1979, Soviet Cosmonauts Vladimir Lyakov and Valery Ryumin unknowingly brought a stowaway on their spaceship, the soul of a little boy named Aaron, who landed in Boulder, Colorado. Struggling to come to terms with his newfound existence as a space soul trapped on Earth, Aaron found solace in expressing his cosmic emotions through music. He saved up his allowance and purchased a small Casio keyboard, a $30 toy, which was a wondrous technological and artistic portal that filled him with joy as he listened to the electronic “samba” beats and analog “rock” rhythms programmed into the toy. However, when he was seven tragedy struck when his favorite Michael Jackson cassette tape was devoured by an evil boom box, leaving him heartbroken and crying on the floor. Despite this setback, Aaron’s love for music only grew stronger, and it was around this time that he discovered his lifelong passion for the guitar. His adoptive Earthling mother recognized his talent and bought him a guitar, enrolling him in lessons at the age of seven. Over the years, he explored a range of musical styles, from thumb-picking and power chords to jazz and classical. He ventured into Trini steel drum music, playful swing, bluegrass, and any other folk style he could listen to. On one fateful day his life was changed when he was confronted with the compositions and the virtuosity of gypsy jazz guitarist Gonzalo Bergara. The music hit him like a brick to the head, and made him reconsider the possibilities of sound, virtuosity and unbridled creativity. Aaron’s passion for music led him to pursue a degree in music composition, where he earned a Masters in Theory and Composition. While at first his compositions were a wild cacophonous sound blending the influences of swing, impressionism, classical, choro, tango, samba, bluegrass and soca, his professors and instructors through his masters programs beat, whipped, scorned, and humiliated him, forging him into a sharp multifaceted Damascus steel slicing through the nonsense and getting right to the story. While certainly Aaron appreciated the beatings, whippings, and humiliations dealt out by his academic professors, Aaron feels his true and most meaningful education came from playing alongside the many talented Gypsy Jazz artists he had the privilege of performing with, including his two heroes and mentors, Joscho Stephan and Gonzalo Bergara. The adventures for Aaron continued as he scored a feature-length score for a Regional Emmy-nominated sports documentary, performed with Iceland’s guitar hero Bjorn Thoroddsen in Iceland, and spent time in the USCG reserves as a boat engineer on a search and rescue team. However, the biggest adventure was marrying his wife and adopting their two sons, who inspire all the music he plays. Aaron’s journey is a testament to the fact that true passion for music can lead to a lifetime of joy, fulfillment, and adventure. What’s adventure comes next? Well. . . that is up to you. . . Pound the contact button and let’s see where this adventure will goes. . .

Swing Je T’aime bio:

Aaron was an adventurous guy who loved to explore new musical worlds. He was studying at Colorado Christian University and was part of the mixed choir, which was known for its beautiful music. Little did he know, a new student had joined the school the previous semester and had joined the female choir.

It was nearing Christmas, and the school was abuzz with excitement. The mixed choir was outside the auditorium, waiting for their turn to perform after the female choir. As Aaron stood there, he heard something that would change the course of his life forever. A rich, angelic voice filled the air, and Aaron was mesmerized. It was the voice of a girl, and it was full of musical substance and indescribable beauty. She was singing an introductory acapella solo to “Let’s Go Down to the River to Pray.” Aaron couldn’t believe his ears. He had never heard anything like it before. He knew he had to find out who this girl was.

Being a small school, it didn’t take long for Aaron to find out that the girl’s name was Laura. They got to work together on a few musical things throughout the year, and Aaron was always drawn to her beautiful voice.

One day, Aaron had an idea. He wanted to form a little quirky misfit ensemble of acoustic and jazz musicians. He knew it wouldn’t function without Laura. Swing Je T’aime was the body, full of energy and life. Aaron was the brain, spitting out weird little arrangements with Brazilian flair, classical craft and spunky swing, but Laura was absolutely the soul. And so, their musical journey began.

They traveled to different parts of the world, performing in small cafes and bars as well as large festivals and foreign land. They played in Iceland, and Germany, the west coast, the midwest, little small towns in Wyoming and big bustling metropolis. Everywhere they went, people were tickled by the arrangements, dazzled by the stunning instrumentalists, but ultimately were undone by the soul of the group, Laura’s voice. They were blown away by the sweet yet full way she sang.

They were always looking for new ways to explore their musical abilities and to push the boundaries of what they could do. Years went by, and Swing Je T’aime continue to play music together. They became known as one of the most interesting acoustic and jazz ensembles in their spaces, and it all started with that one moment outside the auditorium, when Aaron heard Laura’s voice for the first time.

LAPOMPE bio:

What is LAPOMPE?

For nearly a decade, LAPOMPE has been entertaining and delighting audiences in Colorado with their eclectic combination of gypsy swing, blues, and soulful originals. Drawing from the music of Django Reinhardt and the “hot club” style of early 20th century jazz, their music is a fresh collection of classics and original compositions. Presenting complex and virtuosic arrangements with a rustic and acoustic instrumentation including acoustic guitars, upright bass, violin, they have described themselves as “mountain swing” – the kind of music that fits as well in a log cabin as it does in a speakeasy or on the big stage.

The band has been nominated by multiple publications for Best Jazz Band on the front range and won the 2017 Producers Choice award at the Westword Music Showcase. With headlining spots at City Park Jazz, Swallow Hill Music, and the Oriental Theater, and recurring appearances at Dazzle Jazz and the Speakeasy Soiree, LAPOMPE has become a frequent sight in the Denver music scene. They have shared the stage supporting acts like Squirrel Nut Zippers, Asleep at the Wheel, Double Vision (ft. David Sandborn, Bob James, and Marcus Miller) and Hazel Miller. Often collaborating with and featuring local favorites and nationally recognized musicians, the rotating cast of characters on stage bring all sorts of exciting voices to fans of jazz, blues, Americana, and local original music.

Their debut original album “Passages” was recorded by Mighty Fine Productions and mastered with Grammy award winning David Glasser. By combining their love of gypsy jazz with the diverse musical influences of each band member, LAPOMPE has managed to cultivate a sound that is both fresh and steeped in tradition. Check out the calendar to see when you can next hear LAPOMPE!

“While the guys in LAPOMPE do their share of classic gypsy-jazz songs, American jazz standards and French tunes in the live setting, they also write their own original material.”

“Playing a classic, fun and funky style of jazz inspired by the roaring 1920s and early days of jazz, LAPOMPE finds a very relevant place among the vibrant world of Denver’s music scene.”

Alicia Jo Straka bio:

Alicia Jo Straka, previously Alicia Baker, is a professional accordionist, pianist, and vocalist from Portland, OR, currently residing in Denver, CO. She has explored her many avenues of musical ability in both performance and educational venues. Alicia received 3 bachelor of arts degrees from Oregon State University, including piano performance, vocal performance, and choral education, in addition to a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from University of Colorado Boulder in 2017 – all of which were funded by full-ride scholarships.

Throughout her years as a student, Alicia had the honor of being a sponsored accordion and piano artist for the prestigious company, Roland.

Alicia’s repertoire spans a wide variety of musical genres, including; jazz, pop, french musettes, opera, folk songs, polkas, contemporary, classical, romantic, and techno. She often features her own arrangements in concert.

Alicia has also composed a variety of musical works for accordion, piano, and choral settings. She has both won awards and been commissioned to write new works for the choral music world.

Alicia has competed and won multiple International accordion competitions, in addition to headlining major accordion festivals all around North America. These include the American Accordionists’ Association, The Vegas International Accordion Festival, the Cotati Accordion Festival, the Accordionists and Teachers Guild International Festival, KIOTAC, Leavenworth Old-Time Accordion Festival, and the NAMM show. Most recently, Alicia had the honor of premiering a work featuring accordion and soprano voice at both the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, and Carnegie Weill Hall.

Alicia has created a unique show for her audiences by combining accordion with her accomplished voice. Known for accompanying herself on operatic arias, and playing modern styles like techno, pop, and jazz; she is passionate about reinventing the face of accordion in today’s world. Alicia currently spends her time teaching private students, performing, composing, and arranging.

GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION!!

We’d like to thank our growing list of incredible sponsors ~ without them this festival couldn’t be happening. Please join us in our gratitude and show them some love . . .

The Estes Arts District ~ https://estesartsdistrict.org

Visit Estes Park ~ https://visitestespark.com

Trailblazer Broadband ~ https://trailblazerbroadband.com/

Mountain Song Lutherie ~ Rodger Libby 970-227-3783

Scott Metzler Human Centered Leadership Group ~ https://scottmetzler.com/

Barb Marshall ~ thanks, Lulu . . .

The Ridgeline Hotel ~ https://ridgelinehotel.com

Estes Park News ~ https://www.estesparknews.com/

7522 Automotive ~ Mike Schulz 970-577-7522

Twin Owls Steakhouse ~ https://taharaa.com/twin-owls-steakhouse

Richardson Team Realty ~ https://richardsonteamrealty.com

Bird & Jim ~ https://www.birdandjim.com/