J  A  N     V  A  N     D  I  J  K

The VAN DIJK 3

Jan Van Dijk has been entrenched in the Gypsy and Swing scenes in Australia and abroad for over fifteen years. New Orleans has become a second home and a source of constant inspiration. In Australia he performs regularly with Gypsy Jazz great Ewan MacKenzie in his ensemble Swing Dynamique and with sensational accordionist John Reeves in Swing Musette. Featured in these videos are two of Brisbane's favourite Manouche guitarists, Cameron Ford and Dany Avanzini.

​

This ensemble is a fluid moveable feast that reflects the heart of Gypsy Jazz Music. Depending on the night the group will swell from 3 to 6 or more musicians. Travelling through the group may be virtuoso Manouche Guitarists, Bass players, Accordionists and Singers combining in celebration of the music of the great swing era, in particular, the music made so memorable by Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt of the Hot Club of France.

​

Van Dijk’s approach to early Jazz is a reflection of what’s happening now in the streets and clubs of New Orleans where he plays for part of the year; Traditional Jazz and Gypsy Jazz musicians are becoming more and more interchangeable in each other’s bands and the great  old songs are going through yet another evolution. Along with some early blues and string band influences The Van Dijk 3 pay homage to this phenomenon with a healthy mix of reverence and irreverence.