Gypsy Hombres bring unique style, blend to center for July 19 concert

Release Date: 6/25/2008. Expired: 7/19/2008

The Gypsy Hombres, an acoustic violin/guitar-based trio from Nashville, brings its blend of traditional jazz, European, South American and classical music to the Performance Hall of The Renaissance Center in Dickson on Saturday, July 19.

Tickets for the 7 p.m. concert are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 55 and over and $8 for children under 13.

The Gypsy Hombres’ repertoire embraces a wide variety of composers and styles, from Brahms and Chopin to George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong to international folk songs, all while retaining the gypsy spirit. But besides just adding their own arrangements and personalities to standards, they are also accomplished composers with several original songs featured on their latest album.

Equally at ease with swing, tangos, and waltzes, the Hombres provide plenty of inspiration for dancing, and their free spirit and natural improvisation can win over any audience.

Not just entertaining, their music is ideal for the serious listener, because of their high level of musical ability. In fact, their musicianship is so impressive, the Nashville Chamber Orchestra commissioned their composer in residence, Conni Ellisor, to write a piece incorporating some of the Hombres’ original songs, melodies and riffs. The result was Nuage de la Nuit -- a 27-minute tribute to the legendary, gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, featuring The Gypsy Hombres. The performance was taped by National Public Radio.

Some of the Hombres previous engagements include the Nashville Jazz on the River Festival, The Franklin Jazz Festival and The Tennessee Jazz Festival. The Hombres have played the Governor's mansion, the movie set of The Green Mile and the Belle Meade Jazz on the Lawn Series, as well as numerous parties, weddings and club dates. In fact, some of the live shows have included special guest artists including Chet Atkins, Alan Jackson, Tim O'Brien, Mandy Barnett and the great French, gypsy stylist Romane. Other guests include Terri Clark, Muriel Anderson, Beppe Gambetta, Carlo Aonzo, Kathy Chiavola, flamenco guitarist Chuscales, Buddy Spicher, Annie Selleck and Miss Ava Day.

The Gypsy Hombres were founded in 1995 by Memphis native Peter Hyrka, who grew up on a steady diet of rock, blues and soul music. Having taken instruction on the accordion, clarinet, guitar and piano, he then discovered the beauty of the violin, and has been fascinated with it ever since. 

In 1989, Hyrka was signed to Columbia Records with his rock group Human Radio. In 1995, he created The Gypsy Hombres, a new acoustic trio featuring violin, guitar and string bass, which is now his full-time vocation. He is the recipient of numerous Premier Player Awards given by the Memphis chapter of the National Association of the Recording Arts and Sciences (N.A.R.A.S.), and was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Guitarist David Sebring came to Nashville in 1970 to study music. Although not a country music specialist, Sebring became enamored of the high degree of musicianship in and around Nashville. He first appeared on the PBS documentary Showdown at the Hoedown in the mid 1970s backing up "Woody Paul" Chrisman in the final musical duel at the Smithville Jamboree. His first Rounder Record appearance was on Butch Robbins’ now historic record, 40 years late. Sebring met Hyrka in 1995 and helped form The Gypsy Hombres.

Bassist Dan Immel has been with the Hombres for a little more than a year now. He is originally from Texas and plays with the wonderful group Daybreak, which blends the sounds of Appalachia and Celtic traditions into its compositions.

For more information on The Gypsy Hombres, visit www.gypsyhombres.com. For more information on The Gypsy Hombres’ July 19 performance at The Renaissance Center, call (615) 740-5600 or visit www.rcenter.org. To purchase tickets, call (615) 740-5601.

The Renaissance Center is a fine arts education and performing arts center at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, just 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172.

Visit the Events - Concerts and Recitals page for more about musical performances.

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