The Texas Gypsies, an award-winning local Allen band, brings gypsy jazz to the Allen Public Library, 7 pm, Friday, August 13.Blending Big Band Swing, Jazz, Western Swing, Texas Blues and Rockabilly, they create a hot unique style.With sounds evocative of the 1930’s European Jazz movement, Texas Gypsies' feature guitar, violin bass, drums, keyboards and horns.Both earthy and sophisticated, the group’s music appeals to a diverse audience.
Sponsored by Bach to Books, this program is made possible with generous assistance from the Texas Commission on the Arts.Free tickets are available at the door and no reservations are accepted, limited seating. In 2006, the Texas Gypsies were voted best band at the City of Richardson’s Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival.Band leader Steve Curry states, “We hope the audience enjoys the fun and also the artistic aspect of the music! We perform an eclectic mix and the audiences always respond to the high energy and enjoy watching us play and listening to something different.”
Dallas Morning Newscritic Mario Tarradell declares, "A buzz is building for the swinging Texas Gypsies"... "The CD comes loaded with Charm and Chops."
The Texas Gypsies is composed of bandleader Steve Curry on guitar and vocals, Mike Sizer on clarinet and saxophone, John Hewitt on bass, Andrew Griffith on percussions and Gordon McLeod on violin. Band leader Steve Curry has studied various guitar styles at the Musicians Institute and toured with diverse artists as The Jacksons, Boney James, and Jeff Buckley. He has also played as a session guitarist on multiple television and film tracks and writes the original music for Texas Gypsies. Steve is an Allen resident and resides here with his wife Joni and their boxer Coco.
Mike Sizer won the Outstanding Composition Award at NAJE in Chicago, Illinois. Mike has played with many of the greats including Bob Hope, Ella Fitzgerald, and the Dukes. He has been a guest soloist with the Texas Wind Symphony and Austin Symphonic Band.
A graduate of the Arts Magnet High School Dallas, John Hewitt has travelled with Tina Mandrell, Linda Petty and The Main Event, Maurice Anderson. He has played bass and provided lead and background vocals and recorded with many of the Metroplex’s local bands.
A graduate of The University of North Texas with a degree in music, Andrew Griffith has performed with The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis, Steve Allen, and The Ink Spots.
After performing with Beyond the Pale for Celtic Night at the Library last March, Gordon McLeod returns with Texas Gypsies.Gordon’s has two CDs, “Dog Year” whose songs range from reggae-tinged pop to North Carolina fiddle ballads and “Paleontology” that contains Celtic influenced folk songs. For information, call 214-509-4911.
