Manouch Gypsy Jazz

Gypsy Jazz, or Jazz Manouche in French, originated in France in the 1930s with Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Strongly inspired by swing, and traditionally played on string instruments, the style has seen an international revival in recent years. Manouche is a group of musicians who have been promoting Gypsy Jazz in Belfast for over 10 years, and their band Belleville is the quartet formed by Mateusz Chmielewski (guitar) and Niall Lynch (violin) on lead instruments, with Bill johnston (bass) and Nicolas Deschatrettes (guitar) on rhythm instruments.

Belleville's musicians have gone from their early days of busking, to playing international festivals such as the Cloughtober Fest and Django sur Lennon; they are leading the weekly Gypsy Jazz session at the Sunflower Pub, and you may have caught them lately at Scott's Jazz Club, Bert's Jazz Bar, or the Island Arts Centre. Their music is unique, taking influences from the musicians' backgrounds in jazz, blues, rock, country and French popular music.