Ewan MacKenzie and Swing Manouche


Ewan MacKenzie and Swing Manouche is Ewan's latest venture into the world of Django Reinhardt and the music he pioneered known as Jazz Manouche or Gypsy Jazz, this time exploring the guitar and clarinet led explorations by Django during the war years in Paris. The lineup features:

Dan Cosgrove clarinet, tenor saxophone. Dan hails from Dalby in Queensland and is a fluid and expressive player on both instruments, as well as a distinctive jazz vocalist. He has own website here.

Kay Sullivan accordion, vocals. Kay has been Ewan's partner in their highly successful duo Paris Dreaming. Her passionate and lyrical playing is an integral part of the Swing Manouche sound.

Miranda Deutsch guitar. Miranda is a recent graduate of the Qld Conservatorium and a fine guitarist - here she excels in her role as the band's timekeeper with her fine execution of 'la pompe', the driving Manouche Gypsy style of rhythm guitar.

Peter Freeman double bass. A veteran of many latin flavoured lineups including the Tropical Dance Orchestra, Peter fits perfectly into the Manouche style.

Ewan MacKenzie guitar, vocals. Since 2003, Ewan has dedicated himself to playing in the Django Reinhardt mould and has come to be regarded as one of Australia's finest exponents of this passionate and articulate style. He is Artistic Director of OzManouche, the festival dedicated to Jazz Manouche held each year at the Brisbane Jazz Club. With Kay, he has played festivals around Australia, spreading the gospel of Django. In 2005 he studied in Holland with Manouche Gypsy Lollo Meier.

Featuring the improvisational and compositional skills of Ewan, Dan and Kay, Swing Manouche look forward to bringing you their infectious and lyrical take on the unique style of music that is Gypsy Jazz.

A review of a recent concert at the Harvey Bay Jazz Club stated '…not many bands get a standing ovation .... The quintet moulded together beautifully.'

Contact Ewan MacKenzie 0419 680 356 or mackenz51@optusnet.com.au.