Viper Swing

Once only did I get to see that greatest of all jazz violinists, Stephane Grappelli, back in the mid seventies, but it will always be one of the most memorable musical nights of my life.  Grappelli, of course, made his name playing alongside Django Reinhardt in the gypsy jazz quintet, the Hot Club of France.  And the style of music they developed lives on.

So tonight we were off to the house once more, for the promise of some gypsy jazz and an Edinburgh band called Viper Swing.  This was another gig we were excited about going to, knowing that the Grappelli of the line up would be Dirk Ronneburg, a fiddler who's always impressed us playing with various other bands.  There'd be no disappointments.

VS have Dirk on fiddle, two guitarists, a double bass and an eclectic mix of dress styles (top marks go to the big red shiny tie with the big creamy spots).  For the second half tonight they were joined by a third guitarist.  Unsurprisingly they play many of the old classic jazz songs from the thirties and forties, numbers like Sweet Georgia Brown and September Song.  But I don't think the old Hot Club ever got around to playing jazz versions of Abba and Michael Jackson.  And it takes a special musical imagination to combine Greig's Hall of the Mountain King with the tune from Angry Birds and turn the result into gypsy jazz!

No surprise either that our known quantity, Dirk, was matched with musicians of such ability.  All three guitarists took their turn playing lead and competing in inventiveness, each bringing a different style and approach to their improvisations.  Amongst such virtuosity it can be difficult for the bass player to stand out, but not here.  As well as providing a rippling undercurrent of rhythm he had the oft-feared bass solos nailed and sported a twirling moustache to rival Dick Dastardly.  Topping all this off came Dirk's lead vocals sounding like Louis Armstrong had spent some time getting mellow in Paris.  And all the guys joined in the fun on backing vocals.

Toe tapping, body moving jazz, a few laughs along the way and an enthusiastic audience made for another great evening.  Viper Swing perform every Sunday, early afternoon, in the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh.  I wonder what they've got on the brunch menu?