About

Swing 42 are one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most enduring jazz manouche / gypsy swing bands, comprising some of our most dedicated and respected jazz musicians. They present exciting and dynamic performances in Ōtautahi Christchurch and elsewhere and have appeared in jazz festivals, open air concerts, and dance events. Swing 42 stretch out on music by Django Reinhardt as well as choice jazz and latin standards.

Gypsy swing is a sophisticated and appealing style emerging in France nearly 100 years ago, drawing on American jazz, European folk and classical music, as well as Eastern rhythms and tonalities. Swing 42 presents this music in fresh and evolving ways, using traditional gypsy manouche guitar, clarinet, saxophone and double bass. The individual performers’ diverse musical backgrounds are drawn together by their shared passion for this historical musical period. Their repertoire presents musical “riddles” to solve in the playful and adventurous context of group improvisation, making their performances unique and emotionally exhilarating listening experiences.