Velvet Caravan Brings Gypsy Swing Music to Kean Stage

Kean Stage is pleased to present the Savannah-based gypsy jazz band Velvet Caravan at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 4. The show will take place at Enlow Recital Hall on Kean University's east campus.

This high-energy, acoustic quintet of guitar, violin, stand-up bass, percussion and keyboards has emerged as one of the shining lights of Savannah's burgeoning music scene.

"Gypsy jazz is the root of our sound and style, but we are far from being a traditional band in that genre," said Ricardo Ochoa, a classically trained violinist who co-founded the group. "We try to describe ourselves as a gypsy swing band or a Southern gypsy-tonk Latin swing band, or simply European redneck music with a classical influence. None of these styles are intentional. They're simply a reflection of who we are individually."

Ochoa started out playing a Friday night gig at a local restaurant. He invited a guitarist friend to join in. They later added a third, fourth and finally a fifth musician until they had outgrown the tiny corner in the restaurant.

"It got a bit rowdy," he said. "I was standing on the tabletops playing, and people were screaming. It was a party every Friday night. The manager loved our sound, but he wanted something quieter, so he fired us. It pushed us to be creative and get ourselves out there."

"Before long, Velvet Caravan was performing at festivals and concert halls throughout the south, with a unique sound coming from five musicians, each with eclectic musical influences.

"We're always evolving and updating our groove and our sounds," said Ochoa. "We're not restricted to a specific style. It's all about fun."

That fun includes songs that range from Django Reinhardt to Paul Simon to Gloria Gaynor, as well as some original music. The band members sometimes vary, depending on individual commitments. Velvet Caravan's current lineup consists of Ochoa on violin, Jimmy Grant on guitar, Eric Dunn on upright bass, Vuk Pavlovic on drums and percussion, and Jared Hall on piano, organ and accordion.

"Our ultimate goal is to be a creative, successful and ever-evolving band that makes great music and puts on one hell of a show," said Dunn.

Velvet Caravan will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 4 at Enlow Recital Hall, 215 North Ave. Hillside. Tickets are $25-40 and can be purchased at the Kean Stage Box Office in Wilkins Theatre at Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave., Union, N.J., by phone at 908-737-7469 or atwww.keanstage.com.

Founded in 1855, Kean University has become one of the largest metropolitan institutions of higher education in the region, with a richly diverse student, faculty and staff population. Kean continues to play a key role in the training of teachers and is a hub of educational, technological and cultural enrichment serving more than16,000 students. The University's five undergraduate colleges offer more than 50 undergraduate degrees over a full range of academic subjects. The Nathan Weiss Graduate College offers five doctoral degree programs and more than 60 options for graduate study leading to master's degrees, professional diplomas or certifications. With campuses in Union and Toms River, New Jersey, and Wenzhou, China, Kean University furthers its mission by providing an affordable and accessible world-class education. Visit www.kean.edu.

Kean Stage at Kean University educates, entertains and challenges audiences by presenting high-quality programs that reflect the diversity of the region and of the arts. These cultural offerings complement the intellectual life of the classroom for our students, increase opportunities for community engagement, and provide affordable access to the arts for New Jersey residents. Audiences of all ages are invited to enjoy a wide range of professional theatre, Broadway tours, dance performances, concerts, international films and family-friendly shows. In addition, Kean Stage encourages University students to attend events, and provides several options to explore the performing arts through master classes, workshops, lectures, employment opportunities as ushers, backstage technicians and box office staff. Visit www.keanstage.com.

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