Swing Tzigane is an Argentine gypsy jazz band founded on December 8, 2001, by violinist Lito Dalmon and guitarist Hugo García, initially as a quintet. Alongside the founders, the quintet included Roberto Terzano and Claudio Gómez on guitars, and Adrián Defelippo on double bass. Throughout Swing Tzigane’s history, various other musician friends have alternated in the lineup, including the unforgettable Toto Pomar on double bass, Rodolfo Jansen on guitar, Germán Faviere on double bass and guitar, Gustavo Masellis on guitar, Adrián Segers on guitar, and Rulo Vignoles on double bass.
Currently, the band performs as a quartet accompanying the founders, with Ignacio “Nacho” García on guitar and Hugo Far on double bass.
Swing Tzigane has had a prolific production throughout its trajectory. In September 2003, they released their first album titled “Intención Gitana,” which showcases the freshness and spontaneity that emanate from each solo and interpretation. The album includes standards and favorite compositions by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli.
In October 2006, during the 9th National Jazz Festival of the Centro in Río Cuarto, Córdoba, they released their second album, “Living Room.” As the name suggests, the album aims to recreate the intimacy of the musical dialogue that can be experienced in a living room, among friends and in an informal setting. In this release, the group delves even further into the romantic roots of Django Reinhardt through compositions such as “Le Soir,” “September Song,” and “What a Difference a Day Made.”
In May 2012, in commemoration of their tenth anniversary, they released their third studio album, “Just a Gigoló.” This album showcases the freshness and eclecticism of both the repertoire and the interpretations. It combines classics like “J’attendrai” and “If I Had You” with versions in the style of a pop song such as “Can’t Get My Eyes Off of You” and the song “Paquito” by contemporary manouche guitarist Ninine García, along with a well-deserved tribute to Atahualpa Yupanqui in the rendition of “Lunita Tucumana” (Atahualpa Swing).
In December 2021, they released their latest album titled “Indoor Swingin’,” a tribute to those days when the COVID-19 pandemic did not hinder freely going out on the streets and interacting face to face. Although there were no live shows or rehearsal gatherings during those days, these cherished recordings from rehearsals in happy times, amidst solos and shared anecdotes over mate tea, were present. Classics such as “Lady Be Good,” “Stardust,” and “Indiana” are part of the song selection, as well as Reinhardt and Grappelli originals like “Django’s Tiger” and “Hungaria,” among others.
Swing Tzigane is one of the Argentine bands that keeps the flame of gypsy jazz, jazz manouche, or “Music of Django” alive.
Here are some of the places where Swing Tzigane has performed since its inception:
Café bar Juan Grillo.
Círculo de Gendarmería.
Café Bar Contactos.
Confitería Queen Bess.
Mr Jazz Pub.
Club Americano.
Hotel Círculo de Suboficiales de la Fuerza Aérea.
Festival de las Cuerdas Gitanas del Jazz Argentino (Annual, from 2002 to the present).
New People Resto Bar.
Luna Córnea Bar y Tapas.
Gran Café Tortoni.
Teatro del Consejo Profesional de Ciencias Económicas de la CABA.
Festival Django en el CCGSM (Annual, from 2003 to the present).
Café Roma.
Festival Gipsy Swing de La Plata, Teatro Argentino sala Astor Piazzolla.
Club de Jazz el Bufón.
Sexto Festival de Jazz Nacional en el Centro, Río Cuarto, Córdoba.
La Revuelta.
Jazz Club de Olivos (from 2002 to the present).
Ciclo Jazzología (CCGSM).
BarT, resto bar.
Patagónicos restaurant.
Rincón de Olivos restaurant.
Club del Banco Provincia.
Ciclo Jazz al Atardecer de la Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación, Plaza Molina Campos.
Tercer Festival de Jazz en La Plata.
El Gorriti Restaurant.
La Casona del Arte (foro Gandhi).
Ciclos de Jazz por ATC canal siete.
Difusión radial FM Urquiza, programa Jazz café, Radio Nacional, Club de Jazz.
Espacio Cultural Julián Centeya de Cultura del GCBA.
Notorius.
La Biblioteca.
Other milestones in Swing Tzigane’s career:
In December 2009, as part of the Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival, Swing Tzigane shared the stage with the Angelo Debarre Trio, Ludovic Beier, and Tchavolo Hassan, during their performance at the Teatro de la Cova in Martínez.
In May 2010, Swing Tzigane performed at the International Django Festival, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Django Reinhardt’s birth, sharing the stage with Ricardo Pellican, Sergio Poli, Mauricio Percan, Roque Monsalve, Chachi Zaragoza, and the Trío Bangor from Chile, among other guest musicians. In May 2011, Swing Tzigane performed at the 2011 edition of the same festival.
In 2012, Swing Tzigane participated in the “Jazz al Atardecer” series at Café Arroyo in the Hotel Sofitel Recoleta from September to December. They also participated in radio interviews with live performances for FM Urquiza and FM La Tribu. Additionally, they were producing material for their third album, which was expected to be available by the end of the year. They were also present at the 2012 edition of the International Django Festival at the CCGSM and Teatro Roma in Avellaneda.
In 2013, Swing Tzigane performed at Notorius with special tributes to Oscar Alemán and Django Reinhardt, as well as at La Biblioteca and the 2013 edition of the International Django Festival at Jazz & Pop.
In 2014, Swing Tzigane performed at the BUENOS AIRES JAZZ INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL organized by the Buenos Aires City Government, at the Parque Centenario Amphitheater, marking a significant milestone and recognition of their career. They also participated once again in the International Django Festival Argentina.
In 2015 and 2016, Swing Tzigane participated in the annual jazz series organized by double bassist Rulo Vignoles, “Jazz en el Bonafide,” as well as in performances at the Jazz Club de Olivos and the editions of the International Django Festival Argentina.
From 2002 until its last edition in 2013, Swing Tzigane participated in the Festival de Jazz de las Cuerdas Gitanas del Jazz Argentino (Festival of Gypsy Strings of Argentine Jazz) created by the legendary guitarist Carlos “Chachi” Zaragoza, as part of the prestigious jazz series CCGSM “Jazzología” by the also legendary Carlos Inzillo.
Similarly, since its first edition in 2003, Swing Tzigane has been part of the International Django Festival Argentina, created and directed by the brilliant guitarist Ricardo Pellican. It is the most important festival in the region and one of the most significant in the world, paying tribute year after year to the music and legacy of Django Reinhardt.
In 2023, the band once again participated in the “International Django Jazz Festival Argentina,” in addition to continuing to perform in the Capital Federal and Buenos Aires Province.
