Taking inspiration from the music of the legendary French jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, Halifax’s Gypsophilia combines hot jazz and European gypsy music, adding their own modern edge and fusing elements of tango, klezmer, funk, and classical in their original music. Admired by listening and dancing audiences young and old, the group’s passionate, exciting and sophisticated sound has quickly catapulted them to unprecedented jazz popularity in Nova Scotia. Not simply a Gypsy-jazz cover band, Gypsophilia’s unique voice comes from the fusion of the members’ diverse musical and artistic backgrounds, as well as from their innovative and eclectic original repertoire. Initially formed for an appearance at the 2004 TD Canada Trust Atlantic Jazz Festival, the band was impressed with the immediate and passionate audience response.

Since then, Gypsophilia has played numerous club shows, private functions, fundraisers and more formal concerts, regularly attracting sold-out crowds. Performance highlights include a series of wildly successful swing dance costume parties (co-produced by JazzEast), and performances at festivals, including the TD Canada Trust Atlantic Jazz Festival (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007), the Rimouski FestiJazz International (2006), Fredericton’s Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival (2006) and the Deep Roots Festival in Wolfville (2006). In all of these contexts, Gypsophilia’s efforts to explore new musical ground have been met with great enthusiasm and support from listeners. The band’s most recent project is a debut album of original music, entitled Minor Hope, which was released in May 2007.

23 Aug 2008 21:00 Blacksheep Inn Wakefield
24 Aug 2008 20:00 The Mercury Lounge Ottawa
26 Aug 2008 21:00 The Pepperjack Cafe Hamilton
28 Aug 2008 22:00 The E Bar Guelph
31 Aug 2008 17:30 The Ashkenaz Festival Toronto
31 Aug 2008 22:00 The Boat Toronto
3 Sep 2008 22:00 Rancho Relaxo Toronto
5 Sep 2008 22:00 L’escalier Montreal
12 Sep 2008 21:30 Ginger’s Tavern Halifax
11 Oct 2008 20:00 Lane’s Liverpool