Guitarist Raphael Bas (also known as Mojo Manouche) has been writing
and playing music since high school. He grew up in Bourges, France where
over the years he was exposed to a wide variety of music and artistic styles
performed by world class musicians at the renown Printemps de Bourges music
festival (www.printemps-bourges.com). This is in fact, where Raphael first
performed on an international stage, right there at home!
It is clear his major influences are Django, Manitas De Plata, swing and musette. But, since
emigrating to the United States over a decade ago, he has played many styles,
including blues, funk, reggae, and other types of jazz. Raphael once backed
former Big Brother and the Holding Company guitarist Sam Andrew.
These influences are there in his music too. Particularly in the intricately
interwoven guitar parts he plays, whether he is playing solo or backing other
band members, rather than following the more traditional approach of just
playing block chords behind the soloist.
Raphael currently lives in New Orleans where he has returned to pursue his musical quest,
playing French gypsy swing while now incorporating the sound of New Orleans trad jazz
into his repertoire. He works and plays with the very promising band, Vavavoom (www.vavavoomband.com),
which emerged from returning musicians eager to help bring back the vibrant life and
sound of the Big Easy.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.vavavoomband.comTrack List:
1. Swing Gitane
2. Jolie Mademoiselle
3. Old Airport Blues
4. Marie Juana
5. You Want More
6. Petite Fleur
7. Like An Angel
8. Minor Swing
9. It's Not A Dream
10. A Day In NYC
11. Gypsy Boogie
12. Requiem
13. Reve Zappaesque
Other Genres:
