Jazz Manouche with Javi Jiménez and Ross Howe at the Mazza Castle

The Mazza Castle presents Jazz Manouche* with Javi Jiménez and Ross Howe. *Manouche jazz, or gypsy jazz, is an upbeat style of swing music pioneered in 1930s Paris by legendary Romani-French guitarist, Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli, blending traditional Romani folk textures with 1930s American swing, characterized by acoustic string instruments, blistering improvisations, and a distinct percussive rhythm. Javi Jiménez and Ross Howe have been playing gypsy jazz together for over a decade. Their open style incorporates Latin and flamenco influences deeply embedded in the jazz concept of improvisation. ----- About Javi Jiménez Born in Madrid Spain, Javi Jiménez has been playing and studying guitar for over 25 years. In 2007 he graduated from the Conservatory of Jazz Music in Barcelona Spain. During this time, he discovered the music of Django Reinhardt, an aesthetic force in his musical trajectory. In 2010 Javi moved to California, where he composes, arranges and performs in his own band Barrio Manouche, a blend of flamenco, Latin rhythms and Jazz Manouche. The band has played at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Outside Lands, Django Festival and Stern Grove Festival and he had open and shared stage with national and international acts such as Devotchka (Little Miss Sunshine), Pink Martini, Boulou & Elios Ferré, and La Santa Cecilia. Javi is a lead guitar teacher at the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (SOTA), and instructs private students. ----- About Ross Howe Ross Howe is a local Bay Area guitarist, composer and educator born and based in San Francisco, CA. In his early 20’s he discovered the music of Django Reinhardt and quickly became immersed in the Bay Area Jazz Manouche scene. He was named Jazz in the Neighborhoods rising star in 2015 and went on to study and graduate from the California Jazz Conservatory with a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance.He is a member of the eclectic flamenco gypsy group Barrio Manouche and leads his own Jazz Manouche band, The Yacht Club of Paris in addition to being a frequent studio musician for Wide Hive Records, and educator in the Bay Area music community. Please Note: • Doors open at 4 p.m. with complimentary light refreshments and wine. Music begins promptly at 5 p.m • The program is approximately 75 minutes with no intermission. • Music salons are for adults only. • No outside food or drink, spiked heels, or pets are permitted. • The Castle is not wheelchair accessible and tours require walking up and down some stairs. • The Castle is a non-smoking property.