GISMO GRAF
Gismo Graf, the 25-year-old shooting star of gypsy swing, has taken his place among the world‘s leading guitarists. Gismo proves that gypsy jazz is much more than just a marginal phenomenon of the jazz scene. The young artist connects gypsy jazz with pop, bossa nova, swing and his own expressive compositions. Gismo has appeared at many festivals throughout Europe and has shared the stage with some of the top jazz legends performing today. Often he performs as a Trio, with his father and mentor Joschi Graf on rhythm guitar and celebrated mast musician Joel Locher on double –bass. Gismo combines technique, virtuosity, rhythmic rigor and charisma.
CHRISTIAAN VAN HEMERT
Christiaan is one of the premier violinists in the current gypsy jazz scene and often performs as a guest of the Rosenberg Trio and alongside Stochelo Rosenberg in different groups. He has played with countless high profile gypsy jazz artists among which are, Mozes Rosenberg, Paulus Schafer, Fapy Lafertin, Tchavolo Schmitt, Roby Lakatos and many others. Besides his activities as a performer he is well known as an educator, teaching at the Rotterdam University of the Arts and in a host of educational videos online. He often hosts workshops worldwide both on violin and guitar and is an expert in the so called ‘Dutch Style’ of gypsy jazz. Together with Stochelo Rosenberg, he maintains and teaches at the online tuition site The Rosenberg Academy.
SIMON PLANTING
Dutch double bassist Simon Planting studied Classical bass at the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Jazz at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam before embarking on a professional career that has seen him perform in concerts and festivals around the gobe. Simon has compiled an impressive discography with artists like Mathilde Santing, Fapy Lafertin, Jimmy Rosenberg, Stephane Wrembel, and John Jorgenson as well as several Gypsy Jazz tributes and compilations. He quickly became established in Dutch radio and television in a ten-year association with noted pianist/arranger Cor Bakker. In 2009, Simon joined the legendary John Jorgensen Quintet. Along the way he has also performed with top Jazz Manouche guitarists such as Angelo Debarre, Dorado, Tjavalo and Samson Schmitt, Gonzalo Bergara and other Jazz greats, Larry Coryell, Bill Frisell and Howard Alden to name a few.
WORKSHOP DETAILS
Sunday, September 2
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Special workshop with Gismo Graf, Simon Planting & Christiaan van Hemert diving into the specific style of German superstar Gismo Graf. Covered subjects will include: right hand technique, rhythm guitar, soloing & ensemble playing.
