Louis Armstrong. Ella Fitzgerald. Duke Ellington. Django Reinhardt? When we think of famous jazz musicians, Armstrong and Fitzgerald are the more common idols that come to mind. Yet, for artists of the gypsy jazz genre, the musical stylings of Django Reinhardt are not only admired, but legendary. 

For Madison-based instrumental jazz group Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble, performing Thursday at the Overture Center, Reinhardt has had a tremendous influence since their formation in 2003. 

“He was really one of the first virtuosos of lead guitar playing,” said Chris Ruppenthal, lead/rhythm guitarist and bandleader of Caravan. “Back in his day the guitar was only used as a rhythm instrument in a big band. He’s super important not only to jazz guitar history, but in the history of jazz itself.”

When considering the musical genre of “Gypsy Jazz,” many might be unfamiliar with what this hybrid genre entails. For Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble, and other gypsy jazz players around the globe, it is the fusion of multiple musical genres that gives the style flavor and energy. Growing up playing the trumpet and electric guitar, Ruppenthal calls his introduction to gypsy jazz a “titanic shift” in his musical appreciation. 

“I’d been searching for something,” Ruppenthal said. “I didn’t feel at home as an electric guitar player…and gypsy jazz gave me the means to do all the music I liked – hokey old standards, acoustic music and everything in between.”

Incorporating jazz, swing, Latin dance, Parisian Waltzes and vintage jazz into their repertoire, Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble would make any music lover feel at home. After discovering Django Reinhardt, Ruppenthal sought other local musicians who felt equally passionate about the gypsy jazz genre. Beginning as a trio, the ensemble started performing at local venues and the beloved Madison Farmer’s Market. And while the Farmer’s Market hardly has the European feel where gypsies once performed for tips, the Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble embraced the communal aspects of the genre. 

“For authentic European Roma Gypsies, community and music is such a huge part of their culture,” Ruppenthal said. “If you go down to the Farmer’s Market, you see that happening all over the place.”

The band, consisting of Ruppenthal as the bandleader, Ed Fila on lead/ rhythm guitar, Kevin Tipple on acoustic base and Greg Smith on clarinet, has come a long way since the Farmers Market eight years ago. Recently chosen for a featured showcase at the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, Tenn., Caravan was one of approximately 160 bands out of a total 600 to be featured. And while the Madison-based band has played in every room at The Overture Center, at countless festivals and has been called “masterful of Django’s virtuosic style” by Cadence Magazine, it is when the band can establish a personal relationship with the audience that they find most rewarding.

During their performances, Caravan’s audience will leave the show not only with a new perspective on the fusion of musical styles, but a bit of history as well. 

“To me, it’s more than just music,” Ruppenthal said. “The whole story of the music is interesting, and just talking about Django Reinhardt.” 

And Reinhardt’s story is quite intriguing. Born in Belgium and raised in Paris, the gifted musician began playing guitar in a band of musette waltz performers. As an indulgent bohemian, Reinhardt’s story is also one of overcoming struggles. Stumbling home from a performance late one night, Reinhardt became very badly burned after knocking over a candle and setting his home on fire. The incident had a tremendous influence over his musical capabilities, but as an inventive instrumentalist, Reinhardt carried on, in turn shaping a new genre of music. When describing the genre itself, Ruppenthal places great importance on the rhythm guitar as a defining factor. 

“It comes as a surprise to most people,” he said, “but the rhythm guitar style is called ‘Lapomp’ which has to do with the motion. When you compare it to other forms of swing music, it’s almost sort of backwards – just different. It almost feels like it wants to fall forward, which gives it a sort of bounce.”

But this “bounce” isn’t just about the music, it is about giving the audience a greater understanding of Gypsy Jazz and its rich and communal history. So whether it’s the sounds of jazz, waltz, Latin or instrumental improv, Caravan Gypsy Jazz Ensemble offers something for everybody – including a history lesson. 

When reflecting on past performances at the Overture Center, Ruppenthal reminisces over the energy of Caravan’s performances. 

“It’s exciting,” he said. “Especially if you’re in front of a really receptive audience, there’s a kind of electricity that you feel, and it’s really nice to feel the band work together as a unit – all this subconscious subliminal communication happening, moving solos around and what jazz is all about – it’s about communication. That’s when the band feels like it’s firing on all cylinders. It has an electricity to it.”

To catch a bit of Caravan’s gypsy jazz fever, the ensemble will perform FREE at Overture After Work, Thursday April 21 at 5:30 p.m.