Sunday, March 12th, 2023 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Moustache Yourself: Gypsy Jazz
Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach (ORMACO) and the Wadsworth Public Library continue Live at the Library with Northeast Ohio-based band Moustache Yourself on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 2 pm at the Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad Street, Wadsworth, OH 44281. The ensemble will bring to life the style of music that originates with Romani guitarist Jean “Django” Reinhardt and French swing violinist Stéphane Grappelli. The key components of Gypsy Jazz are fast tempos, emphasis on violin and heavily rhythmic guitar playing. Come listen to the 1930s and 40s brought to life by Jeremy Jones on guitar, Kara Ross on vocals and Reed Simon on violin.
The program is free, but reservations are recommended by registering online or calling 419-853-6016.
About the Musicians
Kara Ross (Vocals) arrived in Cleveland in 2015 after graduating from Liberty University in the heart of Virginia with a vocal performance degree and completion of a Young Artist Program with Opera Roanoke. Since then, she has performed in multiple operas with The Cleveland Opera Theater. In 2017 and 2018, Kara performed in The Ohio Theater at Playhouse Square with The Cleveland Opera. She also found a home at the Park Synagogue as a professional choir member. In 2018, she joined her first jazz band and fell in love with that style of singing. Ever since, she has performed in venues around the Akron/Cleveland area with a variety of bands and jazz groups. When she’s not performing music, Kara teaches children about it at a private school in Akron. In her downtime, Kara likes spending time with her husband, her son and Percy the cat.
Jeremy Jones (Guitar/Vocals) has deemed himself “forever a student” of the guitar, as he embraces many genres. Gypsy Jazz caught his attention many years ago and he set out to conquer the unique rhythmic style of the genre, hence Moustache Yourself was born. Moustache Yourself evolved over many years to include many talented musicians and to play many gigs in the Akron/Cleveland area. A new manifestation of Moustache Yourself is poised to bring hot swing music to the area once again and Jeremy is laying down the groove.
Reed Simon (Jazz Violin) has worked with many of Cleveland’s top jazz musicians over the years and has been on area stages including Nighttown where he warmed up for artists such as French guitarists Olli Soikkeli and Stephane Wremble. In 2021, Reed was a guest violinist with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Paul Ferguson and backed up internationally recognized singer Myriam Phiro in Pittsburgh. Reed has also warmed up for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and Big Bad Vodoo Daddy. He had the honor to play for Sinatra’s guitarist Tony Mattolla at a jam session in New Jersey. He also jammed with vibraphonist Gary Burton during a Tri-C Jazz jam event, and entertained artist Phil Keaggy while at the Paris Room Bistro in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Reed shared the Severance Hall stage with percussionist Cándido de Guerra Camero for a production of Duke Ellington’s “A Drum is a Woman” and performed a concert with gypsy guitarist Dennis Chang. Reed has also performed with guitarists Diego Figueiredo III. In 2019, Reed was hired by Roots of American Music (ROAM) to perform a couple of gypsy jazz standards with the acoustic group “Harmonious Wail” during a fund-raiser for Roots of American Music house concert. Years ago, Reed met legendary French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli in person.