Dive into the Magic of the Gypsy Jazz Workshop “IMPROS MANOUCHES” in the heart of the Cévennes, bringing together violinists and guitarists from all walks of life…
As the sun envelops the picturesque Cévennes in a golden embrace, a unique harmony emerges, not only in the air, but resonating from the strings of violins and chords of guitars. The scene is set for an unforgettable journey into the world of gypsy jazz.
In this article, I invite you to join us as we reveal the captivating moments and musical revelations that took place during these gypsy jazz workshops…
IMPROS MANOUCHES EDITION 2023
Captivating Atmosphere and Unforgettable Experiences
The energy was electric and the camaraderie palpable as the musicians came together for a gypsy jazz retreat like no other. Nestled in the heart of the Cevennes, the retreat was not just a learning platform; it was a canvas for creativity. The participants were not simply students; they were our partners in the pursuit of swing and the exploration of sound, rhythm, and self-expression. Many came from different regions of France, but also from Switzerland, Holland and Belgium… And we, the teachers, came from Spain… An international meeting with one goal: to fully immerse ourselves in music!
Exploring New Musical Horizons
The workshop embarked on a creative odyssey where the boundaries of music were pushed back and new horizons were discovered by the students as well as by us, the teachers… We sometimes dove into the world of scat and vocal improvisation, creating a fusion of melody and voice that seemed to transcend time itself. The workshop was not only a learning experience; it was an awakening of the senses to the power of collaboration and experimentation.
The jams were memorable and very friendly. As we shared the cottage with a yoga group, we did the evening jams (and even night jams!) at Thomas’s (one of my very diligent online students for 3 years) and his wife Stella, who are simply the cottage’s neighbors!
It was very beautiful to see the students, sometimes shy the first few days, who ended up launching into beautiful solos in jams…
The Pioneers of Gypsy Jazz: Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli
The very essence of gypsy jazz lies in the revolutionary contributions of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. Their timeless melodies and their passion for music laid the foundations of our workshop. Inspired by their genius, we add our own unique touch, mixing singing and body rhythms to better feel that famous swing, a quality so difficult to grasp, especially for classical violinists. Obviously for those who know me, I have students work on a lot of rhythm exercises…
Musical Journey Through Videos:
To illustrate our musical adventure during this gypsy jazz workshop, I invite you to dive into a few videos…
Right Hand Exercise for Violin Swing:
This exercise was born from dynamic exchanges with our participants, seeking together to find the ideal right hand position for an irresistible swing.
Eva’s Solo on “Minor Swing” in Jam Session:
In the second video, you can discover my solo on the emblematic melody of “Minor Swing”, filmed during an evening jam at Thomas’s. The encouragement and enthusiasm of the students touched me a lot when listening to this video, and it is also a reason why I wanted to share it:
Phrase in G minor
In this video, I teach students a phrase in G minor in 3 steps:
1. Play the phrase with continuous detachment and long notes
2. Add a long note at the end of the phrase
3. Add two-linked
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xXbZElEiCbs
3-Step Vibrato Exercise
In this video, I show students how to make a jazzier-sounding vibrato using the ghost note. First, you have to lift your finger in ghost notes, then subtly add the vibrato.
Open to All Levels:
The charm of this gypsy jazz course lay in its diversity. From self-taught musicians with a few years of practice to professional classical soloists playing in orchestras, everyone found their place. The 2023 edition saw a perfect harmony between these different levels, in symbiosis with what we were offering.
Here is a testimonial from Ann Vancoillie, solo violinist of the Ghent and Antwerp Opera Orchestra, who was present at the 2023 edition :
IMPROS MANOUCHES EDITION 2024
The experience was renewed with great success this year! We had a wonderful time together. After very intensive lessons during the day, great jams in the evening…
The gîte le Revel surpassed itself with the quality of the meals and the welcome. This year, we were the only group present on the site, which allowed us to jam on site, unlike last year. We felt more at ease, in familiar territory. This place is really familiar and comfortable, and the atmosphere is warm…
There are hammocks to relax in the middle of nature, a swimming pool to cool off. And Jean-Christophe and his team wanted to adapt as best they could to the needs of the group. I think I can say that everyone was delighted.
My children were there, just like last year. My little Basile celebrated his 5th birthday on Friday, and he was lucky: a student orchestra played Happy Birthday for him! It must be said that Rodrigue had done a special harmony course using this song as a model… So we really took advantage of it!
The students of the course
We knew half of the students who are in my online courses or who were present during the 2023 edition. Already convinced, they arrived with overflowing motivation and left apparently delighted. We discovered other new students who arrived eager to discover, and left with a smile and a great motivation to go further! Several of these new students will also join the old ones in my online courses: we will see each other regularly during the year!
Here are two testimonials published on the networks:
Videos of the 2024 workshop moments
This year, I tried to make a little teaser of different moments of the workshop, with one of my solos on Minor Swing as background music:
Here is also one of the highlights of one of the jam sessions of the evening! We all sang in chorus the famous song by Edit Piaf “La vie en rose”. At the end of the song, something unexpected happened… It’s up to you to discover it:
Some images
Here is a small slide with photos of the classes, jams, meals…
Gypsy Jazz Workshop: July 31 to August 3, 2025
As this article on the 2023 and 2024 editions comes to a close, a new workshop is on the horizon. The next dates are already scheduled, promising more haunting melodies, thrilling experimentation, and an opportunity for jazz and gypsy jazz lovers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery.
Join us this summer by clicking on the link below: