Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble

Artist Information

Biography

Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble is an instrumental acoustic jazz group based in Madison, Wisconsin. They are primarily influenced by the legendary Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. The ensemble also pulls influences from jazz, swing, European folk, traditional Latin, Parisian waltz, and other vintage-jazz sources. Expect a range of tunes from the “Hot Swing" repertoire, originals and standards done in uniquely arranged styles.

The idea for Caravan started in early 2002 when Chris Ruppenthal, the group’s leader and an aspiring jazz guitarist, first heard recordings of Dutch Gypsy jazz guitarist Jimmy Rosenberg who played in the Reinhardt style. Chris soon turned away from the American Bebop style of jazz guitar to follow in the long shadow of Django and was inspired to seek out fellow Gypsy Jazz enthusiasts.

Caravan sprang out of that inspiration as a trio of two guitars, and violin. The trio played a barrage of open mikes and busked at local farmers markets to get their repertoire together. After adding a bassist and clarinetist they began playing coffee houses, clubs, and parties. Soon they were recording, and performing consistently throughout the Midwest.

The group released its first official full length CD “Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble” on Hot String Swing Records in 2007. The recording features an expanded band lineup and includes original music, arrangements of Django Reinhardt classics, jazz standards, and Latin tunes. In 2010 the ensemble released their “Live at The Brink Lounge” CD, an inspired concert performance featuring their regular touring lineup. Caravan's recordings have been prominently featured as a bed soundtrack on ABC 27's "Cooking the Casbah” and on Something Special from Wisconsin’s local food YouTube shorts. Their music has also been used in advertisements for RP Pasta and for chocolatier Gail Ambrosius.

Caravan has had substantial experience with live performance throughout the Midwest. They have performed in a broad range of settings including concert halls, festivals, nightclubs, and corporate events. They have had a wide variety of live radio experience including numerous appearances on Wisconsin Public Radio's "Higher Ground with Jonathan Overby." Highlights of Caravan’s festival and concert experience include performances at Madison WI’s Overture Hall, The Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival, The Isthmus Jazz Festival, The River Front Jazz Fest, and the Summer Sizzle Jazz Festival.

Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble has become an experienced, seasoned group with a diverse repertoire, and a unique voice in the Gypsy Jazz genre. They now perform in lineups that range from a two-guitar duo to a six-piece ensemble including clarinet, violin, and drums. Although the music of Django Reinhardt is still at the core of the band they have learned to take Gypsy Jazz music in a broad range of directions.

Featured Performance Experience
Overture Center’s Overture Hall “Musical Memories” – Madison, WI
The Redstone Room – Davenport, IA
"Music at Harry's Place" concert series – Beloit, WI
The Village Theatre at Cherry Hill – Canton, MI
The Windhover Center - Fond du Lac, WI
MMoCA "First Fridays" Concert Series – Madison, WI
"Concerts in the Park" – Menominee, MI
"Jazz at five" Concert Series – Madison, WI
The Verona Area Performing Arts Series - Verona, WI
The White Crow Conservatory – Saginaw, MI
“Wild Rice Concerts” – Menominee, MI
"The Park Theatre Project" Concert Series – Hayward, WI
“Treasures Music” Concert Series – Richland Center, WI


Festival, and Fair Experience:
Riverfront Jazz Festival - Steven's Point, WI
The Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival – Madison, WI
"Summer Sizzle" Jazz Fest - Milwaukee, WI
The Isthmus Jazz Festival – Madison, WI
International Bayfest - Green Bay, WI
The Midwest Gypsy Swing Festival – Fitchburg, WI
"Jazz In The Park" – Madison, WI
Art Fair Off The Square – Madison, WI
Artstreet - Green Bay, WI
Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival – Sun Prairie, WI
WORT 89.9 FM Block Party – Madison, WI
Fair On The Square – Baraboo, WI
Monona Terrace Winter Craft Fair – Madison, WI
Festival of Arts and Flowers – Kenosha, WI
Warner Park’s “Winter Craft Show” and “Springfest” – Madison, WI


Radio/Television Performances:
“Higher Ground” (Wisconsin Public Radio)
“Jonathan and Kitty in the Morning” (WMMM 105.5 FM)
“The Pro Show” (WXXM 92.1 FM)
“Mud Acres” (WORT 89.9 FM)
“Entertainment” (WORT 89.9 FM)
“Arts Live” (JATV 12)


Other Notable Performances:
Overture Center’s The Capitol Theatre "Duck Soup Cinema" – Madison, WI
Wollersheim Winery's Port release – Prairie Du Sac, WI
The Great Taste of the Midwest – Madison, WI
"Stem & Stein" at Waelderhaus – Kohler, WI
“Jumptown” U.W. swing club dances – Madison, WI
Dells River Walk Series – Wisconsin Dells, WI
Sundance 608’s Grand Opening Party – Madison, WI

Instrumentation

Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble performs in instrumentations that range from duo to sextet.

THE TRIO
Chris Ruppenthal - Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Bandleader
Ed Fila - Lead/Rhythm Guitar
Kevin Tipple - Upright Bass

AND SOMETIMES WITH FRIENDS...
Greg Smith - Clarinet
Chris Wagoner - Violin/Accordion
Jim Huwe - Percussionist

Discography

01/05 "Repertoire" - Hot String Swing Records HSS1
08/07 "Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble" - Hot String Swing Records HSS2
01/10 "Live at The Brink Lounge" - Hot String Swing Records HSS3

Links

• You Tube
• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Last.fm

Audio

• After You've Gone
  Listen  
• Caprihina
  Listen  
• Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen
  Listen  
• Tea For Two
  Listen  
• Honeysuckle Rose
  Listen  
• Love For Sale
  Listen  
• Peanuts/Number One Fantasy
  Listen  
• September Song
  Listen  
• Tango Innominado
  Listen  
• Nuages
  Listen  

Video

Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble - Video Press Kit

CGSE Sinnissippi promo for FAI

Photo Gallery

Press

• Jonathan Overby [+ Show ]
  

  "Original, energetic and really talented... great Higher Ground performers... I love their sound!" ..."Original, energetic and really talented... great Higher Ground performers... I love their sound!"
  
  Wisconsin Public Radio

• Mary Lou Krase [+ Show ]
  

  " I have the opportunity to work with many performers throughout our season. Caravan Gypsy Swing Ens..." I have the opportunity to work with many performers throughout our season. Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble is such a pleasure to work with. They are a professional group of musicians."
  
  "We sometimes need to present a performance based on the event and they are creative and extremely flexible. They make the work I do very fun and our audiences enjoy them!"
  
  Mary Lou Krase,
  Community Programming
  Overture Center for the Arts

• Carolyn White [+ Show ]
  

  It was a pleasure to present Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble as part of our series. The audience appre...It was a pleasure to present Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble as part of our series. The audience appreciated the excellent musicianship of this group! For many in our audience, this was their first exposure to gypsy swing music and they really enjoyed it. We really enjoyed meeting all of you and your group was such an easy group with whom to work! Our best wishes to you as you continue to present "Gypsy Swing" music.
  
  Carolyn White
  President, Verona Area Performing Arts Series
  

• Kevin Miller [+ Show ]
  

  Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble(CGSE) transfixed a jazz loving crowd in the Windhover Center for the Ar...Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble(CGSE) transfixed a jazz loving crowd in the Windhover Center for the Arts Great Hall Saturday March 21. Fond du Lac's home for great jazz, CGSE did not disappoint. A performance style in the tradition of Django Reinhardt, CGSE artistic excellence was on display throughout the evening. The band brought the appreciative crowd to its feet amidst a clamor for a return engagement. On behalf of the entire Windhover Center, we look forward to the return of CGSE with another outstanding concert!
  --
  Kevin Miller
  Executive Director
  Windhover Center for the Arts
  Fond du Lac, WI 54935

• Tom Robbins [+ Show ]
  

  I had very positive feedback from the patrons I talked to. Several of them mentioned to me that the...I had very positive feedback from the patrons I talked to. Several of them mentioned to me that they weren't sure what to expect, but they liked what they heard. I think your group worked very well for our cabaret space. The music is quite accessible and easy listening, relaxing. Obviously, you and your players are quited skilled and very talented - - patrons were impressed.
  
  Thomas J. Robbins
  Executive Director
  Schauer Arts & Activities Center
  

• Jon Hain [+ Show ]
  

  "In addition to being great to work with Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble really knows their stuff. They..."In addition to being great to work with Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble really knows their stuff. They drew in the audience with expert playing and just enough history to bring the songs to life."

• Gigi Macasaet [+ Show ]
  

  "The audience stood up and cheered! That does not happen after every concert so you can feel extra s..."The audience stood up and cheered! That does not happen after every concert so you can feel extra sure that
  we loved you guys."
  
  Gigi Macasaet
  Presenter - Green Man Music Hall

• Quotes pulled from nationally published CD reviews [+ Show ]
  

  "Caravan is entirely competent, with Ruppenthal and Fila displaying mastery of Django's virtuosic st..."Caravan is entirely competent, with Ruppenthal and Fila displaying mastery of Django's virtuosic style."
  
  Michael Steinman
  Cadence Magazine, May 2008
  
  "None of the music is a radical departure from that performed by Django Reinhardt but it also is not a mere imitation of past recordings. There is enough unpredictability and chance taking to make this a CD well worth searching for."
  
  Scott Yanow
  Freelance L.A. based Jazz writer, February 2008
  
  "The songs have an au naturale feel and complementing arrangements. Their debut album is a celebration of old-time jazz forms.."
  
  Susan Frances
  www.jazzreview.com,

• Madison Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  "Madison has become an epicenter of Gypsy-Swing-Jazz and the Caravan G.S.E. are among our finest pra..."Madison has become an epicenter of Gypsy-Swing-Jazz and the Caravan G.S.E. are among our finest practitioners."

• Madison, WI local press quotes [+ Show ]
  

  Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble guitarists Chris Ruppenthal and Ed Fila skiffle and swing on the song "...Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble guitarists Chris Ruppenthal and Ed Fila skiffle and swing on the song "Jen e Sais Quoi," a straightforward nod to Django Reinhardt and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. A Ruppenthal original from their new self-titled album, it's zesty enough to brighten the murkiest fall afternoon, and thanks to Kevin Tipple's aggressive approach to his upright bass, it also has enough drive to serve as dance music.
  
  Guest violinist Chris Wagoner offers a dancing, carefree solo that's far more carefree than the guitarists' more studied jazz work, but that's hardly a problem. A spoonful of sugar is obviously just what Ruppenthal's charming original requires.
  
  MadTracks -- 'Je ne Sais Quoi' by the Caravan Gyspy Swing Ensemble
  Tom Laskin for www.thedailypage.com
  Sep. 2008
  
  
  
  "The great local quartet explores the swinging Gypsy jazz tradition mapped out by guitarist Django Reinhardt, sampling Parisian waltzes and Latin styles along the way. They’re sure to steam the windows of this cozy east-side venue."
  
  The Isthmus
  Critic's Choices
  Edited by Leslie King Jr.
  January 5, 2007
  
  
  
  "Ruppenthal's quick stringed guitar meshes perfectly with upright bassist Kevin Tipple, clarinetist Timm Gould, and guitarist Ed Fila. Django's Music fits Ruppenthal and his musical mates like a studded leather boot."
  
  Taa-daaaa! Isthmus Jazz Fest Lineup
  Aaron Conklin
  June 2, 2005
  
  
  
  "A recent Thursday evening found the great local combo Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble on stage, and their sophisticated, Django Reinhardt-inspired music perfectly fit the mood of the room, in which well-dressed men and women were quietly sipping wine"
  
  The Isthmus
  The Brink Lounge Goes Big
  Kenneth Burns
  June 30, 2006
  
  
  
  In whatever dimension he is lurking these days, the late Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, a legend in the swing era, probably is smiling broadly whenever Madison’s Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble plays a set.
  
  These instrumentalists claim Reinhardt as their primary muse. However, they also drink deeply from the musical wells of jazz, traditional Latin sounds, vintage Parisian waltzes and more.
  
  The quartet members are veterans of the 2005 Midwest Gypsy Swing Festival, the Isthmus Jazz Festival, WORT Block Party, Djangofest Madison, the Art Fair Off the Square and other music extravaganzas.
  
  The band will play on campus Friday, Dec. 9, as part of the Memorial Union’s “Behind the Beat” series. Things start to roll at 4 p.m. in the Rathskeller, free and all are welcome.
  
  Ensemble keeps Reinhardt music, memory in public eye!
  University of Wisconsin Madison News
  December 6, 2005

Setlist

Caravan G.S.E's typical repertoire covers the entire "Gypsy Jazz" genre. They pull from the American Standard Songbook, swing, Latin, Parisian waltz, and other vintage jazz sources to provide sets that are varied in style, speed, and feel. The group can perform up to a four hour performance. Each sets usually ranges from 50 minutes to one hour.

Example Set List

All of me
Swing '03
Bolero Blue
Oh lady be good
Swing guitars
Valse a Titi
Nuages
Honeysuckle Rose
Tango Innominado
Minor Swing
Caravan

Basic Requirements

Calendar