Nomadic Notes

8220;We were advised not to go ahead with the trip owing to security concerns. We could not perform in Mumbai because our show was scheduled two days after the blasts happened. But we did not want to call off our trip because we thought people are bereft at the moment and they need music to heal their wounds,8221; says Laurent Zeller, violinist.

In the tradition of the Jazz French swing of Django Reinhardt and Steacute;phane Grappelli, Le Petit Orchestre Swing De France The Small Orchestra Swing of France makes you relive the story of the French Jazz strings by taking you back to old times. The trio has Laurent Zeller on violin, Laurent Bajata on guitar solo and Gilles Parodi on rhythmic guitar.

The Small Orchestra Swing of France was born in 2005 after a jam session between Laurent Zeller, violinist and guitarist Gilles Parodi. The passion for Jazz and French songs associated with the rhythms and the colours of the swing manouche brings the three musicians of different backgrounds together. Blending their differences to create magic the trio has since then been together reviving renditions of the old jazz era of the 1930s

8220;The jazz manouche, like a musical cradle demands a controlled contribution, which determines the expressivities of the guitars and the melody richness. Here, rather than the use of drums and percussion, there is a rhythm guitar that very well covers that role,8221; says Parodi. Following in the footsteps of Reinhardt and Grappelli, the trio chromatically colours the songs in rainbow tones, blending travelogues, detective stories, history and culture of this elusive music with the soul that makes people swing.

Adding the rhythm and twist of gypsy swing, Manouche and American Jazz to their renditions of French chansons, the trio aims to play music that uplifts spirits bringing people out of the clutches of the grim mood dominating the current scenario. 8220;We play Happy music. Our music should soothe bereaved souls. It should give them the healing touch because life has to move on, whatever comes,8221; they conclude .

Le Petit Orchestre Swing De France performed at Mazda Hall, Dastur School for Pune music Society on Tuesday