American Jazz Meets Gypsy Side of Pop

BY GEORGE J. DACRE

Occidental Gypsy on tour

The gypsy pop group, Occidental Gypsy, that pioneers the sound of Gypsy Pop, will be in New Paltz at the Unison Art Center April 20. The group blends uptempo, high energy Gypsy-swing rhythms on top of pop melodies.

Occidental has ‘gypsified’ Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” on their debut album “Over Here” released last year. About the album, Motif Magazine wrote that “listeners will surely be all in with ‘Over here,’ ” and they defined the band as “a fab four.”

The band is made up of brothers Brett (lead guitar) and Jeff Feldman (bassist) and fronted by Berklee College of Music-trained singer and rhythm guitarist Scott “Scottie” Kulman and supported by two Berklee students: violinist Jakub Trasak from the Czech Republic and percussionist Francisco Vielma from Venezuela.

The name Occidental Gypsy (Western gypsy) embodies the concept behind Gypsy Pop. The group has taken the Gypsy sound that originated in Eastern Europe and brought it “Over Here,” blending it with American jazz. Information and tickets 845-255-1559.

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