Spyglass Gypsies are excited to announce the launch of their self-titled debut album on Friday 28 February at the Django Bar. Previewed at the Oz Manouche Festival in Brisbane, the album is already proving popular with Gypsy Jazz enthusiasts and Django Reinhardt aficionados alike. Spyglass Gypsies are Richard Ashby and Cameron Jones on Manouche guitars, Loretta Palmeiro on clarinet and soprano saxophone, Andrew Scott on accordion and Shannon Haritos on double bass. Established in 2010 by Ashby and Palmeiro, the group formed through studying and performing in previous jazz projects. “We love the history and traditions of Gypsy Jazz music”. Guitarist and band leader Richard Ashby said. “But we also love contributing to the genre with our own compositions, bringing a modern slant to the traditional style”. 

Combining traditional French gypsy songs with swinging originals Spyglass Gypsies bring the bygone days of bohemian Paris into the present with the lyrical sounds of accordion, clarinet and the percussive 'la pompe' of gypsy guitars. Energetic and playful, this group are sure to set feet tapping, legs dancing and smiles to the faces of all those who hear them at the Django Bar on Friday February 28.