Django and Stephane are listening with big smiles to the Faux Frenchmen.  The CD sounds like a contemporary remixing of greatest hits of Reinhardt or Grappelli, and showcases the talents of these four, not faux, artists.  Highly recommended for Jazz and Gypsy Jazz enthusiasts; thoroughly musical and enjoyable.
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For five years they have been charming us with their breezy gypsy jazz arrangements. Often it can be background at a local restaurant or a social function. But for jazz lovers it is also elegant and entertaining foreground music.

Finally the Faux Frenchmen have captured their unique stylings on CD, this week performing a release show for their self-titled project at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Emerald Ballroom at Molly Malone's (formerly Jack Quinn's), Covington.

Their gypsy jazz sound is inspired by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli, who headed up the Hot Club of France group in the '30s, blending traditional European and gypsy music with sounds of American jazz like Duke Ellington, Fats Waller and Louis Armstrong.

The group sees itself as inspired by the sound rather than a tribute group.

"It can't hurt to study such a virtuostically realized historical sound, so we are still in the process of mining that," said Brian Lovely, Faux Frenchmen guitarist. "But at the same time, we don't limit ourselves to that sound exclusively and bring whatever it is we are about to it. It's the American way."

Indeed, that approach shines on the CD with a myriad of styles and moods. There are intricate arrangements of classics like Ellington's "Jeep is Jumping," "Caravan," and "Rockin' in Rhythm," along with Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." Paul Patterson's violin work is achingly wistful on Brian Wilson's "God Only Knows." But this is also music with a sense of humor, like their cover of the theme from the "Spiderman" cartoon series.

"The Hot Club gypsy jazz style inspires joy and energy," Lovely said. "The music seems to appeal to all people across the board regardless of age or attitude."

The foursome also includes double bass specialist Don Aren, who plays with blues rockers the Bluebirds and jazz group Cat City, and George Cunningham, the guitarist with a number of groups including the old Warsaw Falcons and the Graveblankets. Patterson plays in the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops orchestras.

Lovely is best known as a guitarist for his two decades of power pop outfits in town - Brian Lovely & the Secret and his Flying Underground. He is now completing his master's in jazz studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and is a sought-after local producer.

The ensemble still plays 7 p.m. every Monday at the place the band began in 2002, Tink's Café, 3410 Telford, Clifton. Reservations recommended, (513) 961-6500.
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