Tzigane was founded as a Viennese string ensemble in 1910. This ensemble, existing of three violins, a double bass and two pianos, called itself ‘les Tziganes’, in short: Tzigane. The ensemble became famous in a very short time, in Utrecht and far beyond. They would play their classical music and their famous Viennese waltz on many performances, of which the midsummer night concert was the climax of the year. During the twenties, ‘les Tziganes’ were done playing waltzes. A new musical challenge was needed, and the ensemble decided to play Hungarian and Rumanian gypsy music. At that time, gypsy music was far from common in the Netherlands, and the members of Tzigane were the first to play it. It was not until years after this, that gypsy bands were formed in other cities.

Throughout the years, the band developed into the form in which we know it today: two violins, a viola, a cello, a cymbalom and a double bass. But also the guitar, the accordion and the clarinet are no strangers to the members of Tzigane. This gives the band the flexibility to play a range of different musical styles. Apart from the Hungarian and Rumanian gypsy music, Tzigane plays, for example, a selection of waltzes, tango’s, and gypsy jazz.

From its establishment in 1910 to this present day, Tzigane has, uninterruptedly and with the utmost passion, performed gypsy music in the Netherlands and beyond. Countless journeys inside and outside Europe were undertaken. For example: Tzigane visited and delighted parties in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hungary and even Zimbabwe in the past few years.

It has only been a short time since Tzigane’s last annual trip to Hungary. We played at the residence of the Dutch ambassador, and in several pubs in Budapest and beyond. We also played at the castle of Feistritz, near Vienna, and followed master classes from the world famous primács Puka Károly. The journey was concluded with an unforgettable performance at the Perocsény town’s pub: all local people had gathered to loudly sing their Hungarian melodies with us.

Back in the Netherlands, we decided to expand our repertoire, and we started to play Gypsy Swing music, also known as Hot Club de France. As we had never played anything like it before, we took lessons from the famous Dutch ‘kings’ of gypsy swing, ‘the Basily’s’, who taught us the way to play it.

May 2007, a next journey presented itself: Tzigane had been invited by the Royal Dutch ambassy in Zimbabwe, to represent the Netherlands at the Harare International Festival of the Arts. At this festival, we gave workshops and performed on stage three times (click here for the program book). Tzigane even appeared on the front page of the Herald, Zimbabwe’s number one newspaper, with this. The paper wrote praising about the sold-out concerts and the workshop, which was actually one big jam session with a lot of African percussion involved. This journey too was concluded in a special way: we made a fantastic safari in Hwange national park. Click here for a review.

The year 2006-2007 has on all accounts been a special year for Tzigane. We musically enhanced our repertoire, we added lustre to the most fantastic parties and made the most beautiful and amazing trip in the history of Tzigane!