Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble

"Original, energetic and really talented... great Higher Ground performers... I love their sound!"

Wisconsin Public Radio - Host of WPR's Higher Ground with Jonathan Overby

Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble guitarists Chris Ruppenthal and Ed Fila skiffle and swing on the song "Jen e Sais Quoi," a straightforward nod to Django Reinhardt and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. A Ruppenthal original from their new self-titled album, it's zesty enough to brighten the murkiest fall afternoon, and thanks to Kevin Tipple's aggressive approach to his upright bass, it also has enough drive to serve as dance music.

Guest violinist Chris Wagoner offers a dancing, carefree solo that's far more carefree than the guitarists' more studied jazz work, but that's hardly a problem. A spoonful of sugar is obviously just what Ruppenthal's charming original requires.

MadTracks -- 'Je ne Sais Quoi' by the Caravan Gyspy Swing Ensemble
Tom Laskin for www.thedailypage.com
Sep. 2008



"The great local quartet explores the swinging Gypsy jazz tradition mapped out by guitarist Django Reinhardt, sampling Parisian waltzes and Latin styles along the way. They’re sure to steam the windows of this cozy east-side venue."

The Isthmus
Critic's Choices
Edited by Leslie King Jr.
January 5, 2007



"Ruppenthal's quick stringed guitar meshes perfectly with upright bassist Kevin Tipple, clarinetist Timm Gould, and guitarist Ed Fila. Django's Music fits Ruppenthal and his musical mates like a studded leather boot."

Taa-daaaa! Isthmus Jazz Fest Lineup
Aaron Conklin
June 2, 2005



"A recent Thursday evening found the great local combo Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble on stage, and their sophisticated, Django Reinhardt-inspired music perfectly fit the mood of the room, in which well-dressed men and women were quietly sipping wine"

The Isthmus
The Brink Lounge Goes Big
Kenneth Burns
June 30, 2006



In whatever dimension he is lurking these days, the late Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, a legend in the swing era, probably is smiling broadly whenever Madison’s Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble plays a set.

These instrumentalists claim Reinhardt as their primary muse. However, they also drink deeply from the musical wells of jazz, traditional Latin sounds, vintage Parisian waltzes and more.

The quartet members are veterans of the 2005 Midwest Gypsy Swing Festival, the Isthmus Jazz Festival, WORT Block Party, Djangofest Madison, the Art Fair Off the Square and other music extravaganzas.

The band will play on campus Friday, Dec. 9, as part of the Memorial Union’s “Behind the Beat” series. Things start to roll at 4 p.m. in the Rathskeller, free and all are welcome.

Ensemble keeps Reinhardt music, memory in public eye!
University of Wisconsin Madison News
December 6, 2005 - Various

"In addition to being great to work with Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble really knows their stuff. They drew in the audience with expert playing and just enough history to bring the songs to life." - Owner: Mother Fool's Coffee House

"Madison has become an epicenter of Gypsy-Swing-Jazz and the Caravan G.S.E. are among our finest practitioners." - Off the Vine: Making the case for wine and jazz. By Michael Kwas

"Caravan is entirely competent, with Ruppenthal and Fila displaying mastery of Django's virtuosic style."

Michael Steinman
Cadence Magazine, May 2008

"None of the music is a radical departure from that performed by Django Reinhardt but it also is not a mere imitation of past recordings. There is enough unpredictability and chance taking to make this a CD well worth searching for."

Scott Yanow
Freelance L.A. based Jazz writer, February 2008

"The songs have an au naturale feel and complementing arrangements. Their debut album is a celebration of old-time jazz forms.."

Susan Frances
www.jazzreview.com, - "Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble"

"Caravan is entirely competent, with Ruppenthal and Fila displaying mastery of Django's virtuosic style."

Michael Steinman
Cadence Magazine, May 2008

"None of the music is a radical departure from that performed by Django Reinhardt but it also is not a mere imitation of past recordings. There is enough unpredictability and chance taking to make this a CD well worth searching for."

Scott Yanow
Freelance L.A. based Jazz writer, February 2008

"The songs have an au naturale feel and complementing arrangements. Their debut album is a celebration of old-time jazz forms.."

Susan Frances
www.jazzreview.com, - "Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble"

I had very positive feedback from the patrons I talked to. Several of them mentioned to me that they weren't sure what to expect, but they liked what they heard. I think your group worked very well for our cabaret space. The music is quite accessible and easy listening, relaxing. Obviously, you and your players are quited skilled and very talented - - patrons were impressed.

Thomas J. Robbins
Executive Director
Schauer Arts & Activities Center
- Schauer Arts & Activities Center

I had very positive feedback from the patrons I talked to. Several of them mentioned to me that they weren't sure what to expect, but they liked what they heard. I think your group worked very well for our cabaret space. The music is quite accessible and easy listening, relaxing. Obviously, you and your players are quited skilled and very talented - - patrons were impressed.

Thomas J. Robbins
Executive Director
Schauer Arts & Activities Center
- Schauer Arts & Activities Center

"The audience stood up and cheered! That does not happen after every concert so you can feel extra sure that
we loved you guys."

Gigi Macasaet
Presenter - Green Man Music Hall - Viroqua Public Market / Greenman Music Hall

"The audience stood up and cheered! That does not happen after every concert so you can feel extra sure that
we loved you guys."

Gigi Macasaet
Presenter - Green Man Music Hall - Viroqua Public Market / Greenman Music Hall

" I have the opportunity to work with many performers throughout our season. Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble is such a pleasure to work with. They are a professional group of musicians."

"We sometimes need to present a performance based on the event and they are creative and extremely flexible. They make the work I do very fun and our audiences enjoy them!"

Mary Lou Krase,
Community Programming
Overture Center for the Arts - Community Programming, Overture Center for the Arts

" I have the opportunity to work with many performers throughout our season. Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble is such a pleasure to work with. They are a professional group of musicians."

"We sometimes need to present a performance based on the event and they are creative and extremely flexible. They make the work I do very fun and our audiences enjoy them!"

Mary Lou Krase,
Community Programming
Overture Center for the Arts - Community Programming, Overture Center for the Arts

Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble(CGSE) transfixed a jazz loving crowd in the Windhover Center for the Arts Great Hall Saturday March 21. Fond du Lac's home for great jazz, CGSE did not disappoint. A performance style in the tradition of Django Reinhardt, CGSE artistic excellence was on display throughout the evening. The band brought the appreciative crowd to its feet amidst a clamor for a return engagement. On behalf of the entire Windhover Center, we look forward to the return of CGSE with another outstanding concert!
--
Kevin Miller
Executive Director
Windhover Center for the Arts
Fond du Lac, WI 54935 - Windhover Center for the Arts

It was a pleasure to present Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble as part of our series. The audience appreciated the excellent musicianship of this group! For many in our audience, this was their first exposure to gypsy swing music and they really enjoyed it. We really enjoyed meeting all of you and your group was such an easy group with whom to work! Our best wishes to you as you continue to present "Gypsy Swing" music.

Carolyn White
President, Verona Area Performing Arts Series
- Verona Area Performing Arts Series

Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble(CGSE) transfixed a jazz loving crowd in the Windhover Center for the Arts Great Hall Saturday March 21. Fond du Lac's home for great jazz, CGSE did not disappoint. A performance style in the tradition of Django Reinhardt, CGSE artistic excellence was on display throughout the evening. The band brought the appreciative crowd to its feet amidst a clamor for a return engagement. On behalf of the entire Windhover Center, we look forward to the return of CGSE with another outstanding concert!
--
Kevin Miller
Executive Director
Windhover Center for the Arts
Fond du Lac, WI 54935 - Windhover Center for the Arts