Manouche got together as a result of a group of musicians' love for the style of music called Gypsy Jazz. This style was created by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli in 1934 and is a unique blend of American jazz standards and gypsy rhythmic and melodic concepts. This vibrant mix
resulted in the hottest of Hot Jazz.

The band consists of Bernard Kotze(lead guitar, composer), Thomas Hugo(rhythm guitar), Rene Stander(violin), Lize Dekker(accordion, vocals), Eldred Schilder(double bass) and Martijn Van Der Merwe(percussion).They have been playing together for the last 2 years but have only recently
burst onto the scene and are making waves in various venues and festivals across the Western Cape.

With sometimes unorthodox instrumentation and a good deal of original material they truly make the style their own. Along with their own tunes they also pay homage to artists and composers like George Gershwin, Django Reinhardt, Fats Waller, Edith Piaf etc.

With moments of beautiful melancholy to foot tapping, hip swinging jazzy goodness and a couple of surprises in between, Manouche is a group not to be missed!