Frequently Asked Questions

Gypsy Jazz Retreat 

Alongside the main festival we run a 5 day residential retreat where guitarists and violinists can attend and learn first hand with some of the world's leading gypsy jazz musicians.  Workshops, masterclasses, 1/2/1 coaching, group jams and all things gypsy jazz. Plus as a retreat attendee you can take part in the final day concert and get VIP front row seating for all festival concerts.  There are still a few spots available. 

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Full info & Sign Up www.GypsyJazzRetreats.com

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Ticket Info

Where will I get my tickets? 

Tickets will be ready to collect from the reception area at the venue in the name of the buyer. Tickets can be collected 60 minutes before showtime each day. 

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We ask you to show proof of purchase on a phone / printed off and ID in the buyers name.  You will receive receipt by email after purchase.

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We advise arriving at least 30 mins before showtime if you haven't already collected tickets for the performance you are attending. 

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Seating is unallocated, doors open 60 mins before show time.

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Bar Info

The bar will be open 60 mins before show time where you can get a glass of tanners selected wine or bottle of real ale, lager and soft drinks.

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Parking 

Concerts are taking place in the very centre of Shrewsbury with all venues still TBA.

There's a great website full of info here:  Visit Original Shrewsbury

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Accommodation

There are numerous hotels, BnB's and Inn's in Shrewsbury, have a look at Booking.com or Expedia.com for a full list.

 

For campers and mobile homes there are campsites within 25 minutes walking distance or a short taxi ride away. In previous years attendees have spoken highly about www.love2stay.co.uk (1.5 miles away) and www.westmidshowground.co.uk (2.5 miles away). 

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Luthiers Trade Show

We have spaces available during the weekend for luthiers to attend and show guitars. Please contact us using the contact form for more info.

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What is Gypsy Jazz?

We are incredibly proud to bring some of planets most celebrated gypsy jazz guitarists to Shrewsbury each October for fellow music lovers to hear and marvel at whilst soaking up the hot swinging, feel good atmosphere that this music creates.

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Gyspy jazz guitar is some of the most technically demanding guitar playing out there, but it never loses touch with the importance of simplicity and good melody when it comes to music. 

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The sheer jaw dropping technical ability on display when watching artists of this calibre paired with the unmistakable beauty of the music first pioneered by the Belgian gypsy Django Reinhardt often leaves hardcore fans and the uninitiated alike yelling for more.

 

Django Reinhardt was born into the Sinti Gypsy community that mainly moved around parts of France, Holland, Belgium and Germany. By the time he started becoming world famous, he'd already lost the use of 2 of his fingers on his fretting hand after a caravan fire.

 

With a diverse musical upbringing as a child Django played Banjo playing gypsy music and songs of the day but when Django heard the great swinging jazz coming out of the USA in the early 30's a new style of jazz was born. 

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Cross European classical music with old eastern melodies, French show songs and Bal-musette and other traditional music, plus 1000's of years of gypsy tradition going back to India with the hottest music coming out of the USA and we have violinist Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt's Quintette Du Hot Club De France. 

 

Fast forward to today and Django's legacy is going strong! All over the world guitar players and musicians often starting out with blues or the Beatles or the like are hearing this great style and falling in love.

 

We're lucky enough to be able to bring you some of the best of the best. We can't wait for Shrewsbury Django Fest 2024!

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