La Petite Manouche

Sep 5 (Shared with Anneka Thwaites)
Members $7 Non-members $12

The style of gypsy jazz music was created in the time of WWII by an illiterate French gypsy named Django Reinhardt. Django spent most of his life doing what he wanted; enjoying himself, relaxing, and playing music.

Burke Goffe and Robbie Averill are graduates of the CPIT Jazz School in Christchurch, who have spent the course of their studies having the style of gypsy jazz drilled through their souls, and consequently have come out and formed La Petite Manouche - a guitar duo with influences of gypsy and modern jazz, creating a unique fusion of music.

Burke has an Honours degree in Jazz Music from the University of Canterbury, and was winner of the 2007 First Year Guitarist's award at the CPIT Jazz School. He currently spends his time playing in various musical settings around Christchurch, and the South Island, and studying French, Spanish and Maori language. Robbie is currently studying for his Honours degree in Jazz Music, majoring in Jazz Performance Guitar and Jazz Composition, at the University of Canterbury. He has spend the last few years playing with various musicians in a variety of musical contexts, including folk festivals, big bands and church choirs.

Both hope to one day travel to France and live with the gypsies, to truely take in the tricks of the trade from the gypsy guitar masters of today. With an album planning to be released in early 2011, keep an eye out for La Petite Manouche.

www.lapetitemanouche.com