“It’s what I love. It’s jazz and it’s improvisational – it’s energetic but can be melancholic. It’s the music I love and have always loved.”
That’s how Christine Tassan describes the musical style that she and her band, Christine Tassan et les Impostures, have performed around the world.
Originally composed completely of women, the group were pioneers in a musical domain usually reserved for men and were early promotors of the “gypsy” wave that swept across Quebec more than 20 years ago.
Now they’re bringing their infectious style to the West Coast and will be appearing at Oak Bay's Upstairs Lounge for a single night, Saturday, Jan. 18.
But perhaps a little background is in order.
Gypsy Jazz is a musical genre inspired by Romani jazz guitarist Jean "Django" Reinhardt who, along with French jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli, drew on the style of music with its roots in France with the Manouche clan of Romanis.
It’s a style that has inspired musicians around the world and has seen Christine Tassan et les Impostures produce seven albums with more than 700 performances at major events and tours across Canada, Europe, the USA and China.
Their album Entre Félix et Django received the Opus Award for Jazz Album of the Year in 2017 and was nominated in the Show of the Year category in 2018.
Since 2020, the group has also been presenting a Christmas show titled Django Belles, which has become an annual tradition.
“I remember when I was six years old I heard Django Reinhart, and I knew that I wanted to play just like that record I had. It’s been more than 40 years now and the music is still as much fun as it ever was,” Tassan says. "Django Reinhart was a gypsy himself and a genius. The music is quite challenging for any guitarist and it’s not easy to play, but it is so energetic and so upbeat that I just had to learn it and to perform it for others.”
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Tassan is joined by violinist Martine Gaumond, guitarist and vocalist Jeff Moseley, and singer and double bass player David Meunier-Roy.
Although Victorians won’t have a chance to see the Christmas show (maybe next year) Tassan has a way of attracting amazing talent and is regularly joined for that show and others by Justine Verreault-Fortin on trumpet and Karine Gordon on trombone.
And although societal sensitivities to minorities have made the term “gypsy” less acceptable, and some prefer the term “Romani,” the musical community has continued to embrace the “gypsy jazz” label.
“It’s what Django called the music, and he was Romani himself, so I guess it’s alright,” Tassan says. “In fact, the name of our group ‘Christine Tassan et les Impostures’ comes right out and admits that we are not gypsies. We’re imposters who just love and respect the music. We honour the music and the people who created it while mixing styles a little and always give the audience some surprises.”
“The show we’re bringing to Victoria is part of our On the Road Tour, and it’s a celebration of 20 years of touring with the band. It’s going to be wonderful.”
More information on Christine Tassan et les Impostures, along with concert dates and tickets, can be found at christinetassan.com/christine-tassan-et-les-imposteures.
For tickets to the Oak Bay concert, visit beaconridgeproductions.com/2024/09/christine-tassan-et-les-imposteures
