16 strings, 30 fingers, and countless notes. The Gismo Graf Trio goes full throttle with Gypsy Swing.
The “Speedkings'” string work is honored with astonished looks and storms of applause.
Many of the approximately 160 attendees had to wait six years until one of the world’s leading and freshest Gypsy jazz formations took the stage of the Alte TÜV Halle again on Friday evening.
In the meantime, 32-year-old Gismo Graf, the former guitar prodigy, has been traveling extensively and widely. He led a guitar workshop in San Francisco, played at a festival in Seattle, and delighted the European Gypsy Swing community with his rapid dexterity and innovative guitar playing.
He learned his instrument as a child from his father Joschi, who is now the rhythm guitarist in his trio. Even back then, he listened to Django Reinhardt’s records over and over again and, thanks to his excellent ear, taught himself everything. Reading music? No way!
Fifteen years ago, the “Grafen” teamed up with the highly sought-after double bassist Joel Locher, who, like the Sinti family, also hails from Stuttgart.
This move was undoubtedly a hit, as Locher, too, masters the finger-hunting of his four double bass strings like few others.
Now, the Alte TÜV Halle. With “Skizzo,” a composition by Gismo, the band immediately goes full throttle, so that the first cheers from the audience can be heard during this opening piece.
The fact that the legendary Django Reinhardt (1910-1953), considered the founder of European jazz, is their great role model is palpable in every guitar riff – even though Gismo has long since developed his own playing style.
He also doesn’t reveal himself as a gypsy swing purist, but rather adds his own touch to world hits like “Englishman in New York” (Sting), “Sir Duke” (Stevie Wonder), and “Liberian Girl” (Michael Jackson) throughout the program.
The icing on the cake: Gismo invites his three-year-younger sister Cheyenne onto the stage for jazz standards like “I’ve Got Rhythm,” “Take the A Train,” and “Lullaby of Birdland.” With her wonderfully swinging voice, she adds an extra dimension to the trio’s already magnificent performance.
Especially on “I’ve Got Rhythm,” she shines with scat phrases, in unison with her brother’s guitar licks. Finally, the program also includes pieces presented vocally by Papa Joschi (“mer ham Sinti”) and Cheyenne (“djane du ga”).
Versatility and versatility are the trump cards on this balmy summer evening. Naturally, they also reach into the “Django Reinhardt box,” and Gismo proves himself not only a dazzling guitarist and entertainer, but also contributes another original composition in the bossa style, “Festival Django,” in addition to “Skizzo.”
The relaxed atmosphere practically catapults the audience to the Copa Cabana with a glass of Caipirinha in hand. The atmosphere on stage is relaxed anyway. Gismo introduces his father as a long-time “work colleague.”
At the end, Gismo returns the favor, calling Gismo his “employer” and “perhaps also his pension.”
The trio astonishingly presents the most complicated riffs with harmonics, flowing solos and chord progressions, fast-paced with incredible ease, which prompts admiring head-shaking from some audience members.
This was also the case with Stefan Schaich and his partner Angelika Selg from Böblingen. “As a guitarist, I almost cried at the class of their performance. I love their gypsy jazz! The bassist was also outstanding, and the entire Graf family was perfectly attuned!”
The bottom line: The trio doesn’t play music—it’s music that seems to ooze from every pore!
There will be another opportunity to experience guitar wizard Gismo in this region on December 18th at the Herrenberg Christmas Circus. He will perform with the orchestra and actor Dietmar Wunder.
Gismo Graf – Lead Guitar
Joschi Graf – Rhythm Guitar
Cheyenne Graf – Vocals
Joel Locher – Double Bass
