That one time I stayed in a Gypsy Caravan
Hi Lionheart,
I want to share with you the story of that one time when I stayed in a Gypsy caravan in France (complete with pictures and a video!)...
After a period of time training to be an opera singer, I realized it wasn't for me, and I needed to find a way to prove to myself that I COULD realize my dream of being a singer in New York City. What I really wanted was to write and perform electronic music, but I didn't know where to begin. I apprenticed as an audio engineer at a music studio called ishlab and at the same time, I got involved in the Gypsy jazz scene. Gypsy jazz is the style of music created by legendary Romani Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt.
It started from auditioning for a gig I found on Craigslist. I knew I had to sing and perform, but I didn't know where, so I turned to Craigslist to try my luck. I stumbled upon a gig, I learned a couple songs that day, auditioned for the band the Hot Club of DC that night, got the gig, got paid, and the gigs kept coming in, so I went with it.
I fell in love with the music and a beautiful career in Gypsy jazz unfolded over the next 7 years. It took me to two Romani Gypsy communities in Samois sur Seine and Alsace, France, as well as an artist-in-residence position and multiple shows at Strathmore, a gig at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, three gigs at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Plaza, a full write up in the Washington Post for a show at Blues Alley, albums, beloved fans and bandmates, and good times.
I'm forever grateful to my bandmates and friends in the Gypsy jazz scene in New York and around the world, who are incredibly talented musicians, generous friends, inclusive and warm, and good hangs, as well as the fans who made it all possible by simply loving the music and supporting it.
Looking back, I've realized that I always knew in the back of my mind that I could do it. There was a learning curve, and I can always improve as a singer and musician. However, I felt welcomed by the scene and knew I was good enough to give it a go and grow within it.
This is the same easy feeling I felt going to create my own monthlong solo artist retreat in Cuba and working as a music director for a Shakespeare project at the Ritsona Refugee Camp in Greece.
Now, Lionheart, when it comes to my truest desires to write and perform electronic music, I always felt that I wanted it so much that it seemed like a huge, insurmountable mountain. Over the years, I had this mistaken belief that I was too old and I put unnecessary pressure on myself. Perhaps I had this feeling that I could do anything EXCEPT what I really wanted.
It's so funny, because all of the other wild dreams I went after were like a walk in the park and came to fruition easily. Like, "oh yeah, I can do that. No problem." I mean, I definitely put in work, but the HOW came from unexpected sources: patrons, fans, friends, and family.
The universe matches the energy you emit and provides opportunities to match it.
All I need to do is take that same energy and apply it to what I really want. I can give the same deep, calm, and lighthearted sense of confidence to my true passion and see where it goes.
To be clear, I have embarked on my electronic music dream. I've played a lot of shows and written and released 4 original albums. However, I subconsciously had one foot in, and one foot out, not having the faith that it'd work out.
Over the past two years, I've done (and continue to do) a lot of work in transforming my limiting beliefs. I've decided to go for it.
I'm investing in deepening my skills for my upcoming music releases and live performances. As I move towards developing my live electronic set in Transmute and my songwriting and production chops in Producer Dojo, I'm grounded in remembering to keep it a light and fun ride.
I'm not rich (yet), Lionheart. These investments in my passions and my future are financial and time-management stretches for me. However, because I've decided my present and future vision is non-negotiable, the universe has provided the means by which I can accomplish it. I decide the what, and I leave it open to the universe to provide the how. I'm going after it because... YOLO.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Are you living on that same tip, Lionheart?
Here are some photos, a video, and a link to a Gypsy jazz album.
Jamming in Alsace, France.
Titi Bamberger and me. I knew Titi from when he'd come play festivals in New York. He is such a kind soul. I considered him the godfather of the camp because he'd be STOCKED with beer, cheese, sausage, and bread, and it encouraged Gypsy and gadje (non-Gypsy) musicians alike to hang out at his caravan and jam from sun-up to sun-up. Sometimes there'd be a jam going on with some of the best Gypsy jazz musicians in the world and I'd have to pardon myself as I walked around them to get to his caravan door to grab my bag inside.
My friend Siv Brun Lie at the time was completing her PhD at New York University studying Romani voices (literally and figuratively. I'm forever grateful to her. Through her, she introduced me to the beautiful Romani community and we stayed together in Titi Bamberger's Gypsy caravan for a week while Titi slept on his couch. This was all at the Festival de Django Reinhardt at Samois sur Seine, France. What a crazy experience! Here, Siv and I are with such welcoming Romani friends and guitarists Gigi Weiss Loeffler and Billy Weiss. They taught me some of their language. Michto! (Cheers!)
The view from inside Titi Bamberger's caravan. I know that the Romani Gypsies don't like photographs, so I respected that and didn't take any other photos, but this one was a thrill to get from inside. Just to have the visual memory that I was so graciously welcomed inside. Titi would ride that scooter shirtless around the Samoreau camp, stopping by every caravan to say hello to friends on his way to the showers on the other side of the camp. A true godfather.
So much beer!
One of three gigs playing at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Plaza, pictured here with Ari Folman-Cohen and Pooquette.
Playing at the famous Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. with the incredible musicians: Christylez Bacon, Sami Arefin, Ethan Foote, and Brandon Vetrano.
Incorporating electronic music via synths and samplers with Gypsy jazz inspiration with Brandon Vetrano and Charlie Castelluzzo at Cake Shop, NYC.
At Glasslands with Ethan Foote (bass), Alex Dadras (drums), and Sami Arefin (guitar).
At Glasslands with Alex Dadras (drums) and Sami Arefin (guitar).
Do you want to see and hear some of the action inside the caravan, Lionheart?
This week's video is a late night jam in a Romani Gypsy caravan with me singing, Benjy Winterstein (guitar), Billy Weiss (guitar), and Alexis Lograda (violin). Samoreau, Samois sur Seine, France. Video by Siv Brun Lie.
Want to hear me and my fellow Gypsy jazz musicians? Here's a link to Fête de la Musique, an album by the Bailsmen that I featured on. It's beautiful music and dangerous rhythms. ;) I'm on tracks 1, 4, and 7. If you like it, support the artists behind it and buy it!
Keep it light, Lionheart. If you follow your intuition, where will it take you?
I couldn't and wouldn't do it withoutcha.
Mad love. Wishing you inspiration and expansion.
P.S. Click here to support my music on Patreon. Patreon is a crowdfunding platform for raising funds primarily to cover the costs of recording, mixing, and mastering. This is to help me continue making music, sharing it with you, and teaching what I learn to my students. For only $3/month, I will post at a minimum, two "items" that will be available to subscribers only. These might be songs, audio essays, videos, poems--but they will be in the spirit of what we've got going on here already--and then some. I would love for you to be a part of the team that keeps this machine humming and I thank you heartily in advance.
P.P.S. Click here to learn more about singing and songwriting lessons with Set Your Life To Music.
Photos by Brooklyn Vegan, Shervin Lainez, and Siv Brun Lie.