Fapy Lafertin
Fapy Lafertin (20 November 1950) is one of the foremost contemporary exponents of the Belgian-Dutch style of gypsy jazz.[1]
Fapy Lafertin | |
|---|---|
 Fapy Lafertin on stage at the Pizza Express, London, 1983 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 20 November 1950 Kortrijk, Belgium |
| Genres | Jazz, Gypsy jazz, samba, fado |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Associated acts | WASO |
Lafertin was born in a Romani community of Manouche and took up guitar at the age of five. After performing in a family band with his father on violin and his brother on second guitar, he joined the Piotto Limberger orchestra. He also toured with his uncle, Eddie Ferret.[2]
In the 1970s and '80s he played with the band WASO, with Albert Vivi Limberger on drums and Michel Verstraeten on triple bass. In 1985 he began a quartet which has featured Rudi Brink, Tim Kliphuis, and Joop Hendricks. He based the quartet on the Quintette du Hot Club de France. He began a solo career and toured throughout Europe and the UK. He has played with American jazz musicians such as Charlie Byrd, Al Casey, Scott Hamilton, Milt Hinton, and Benny Waters. Briefly he performed with Stéphane Grappelli.[3]
Lafertin has used the 12-string guitarra, combining Portuguese fado and Brazilian samba with the music of Reinhardt, Duke Ellington, and the Great American Songbook in his repertoire.[3]
Discography
- Fleur de Lavende (Hot Club, 1991)
- Swing Guitars (Lejazzetal, 1994)
- Hungaria (Lejazzetal, 1996)
- Star Eyes (String Jazz, 2000)
- Fleur D'ennui (Timeless, 2001)
- Fine & Dandy (Iris Music, 2003)
- Django!! (W.E.R.F., 2010)
References
- Dregni, Michael (2006). Django Reinhardt and the Illustrated History of Gypsy Jazz. Speck Press. p. 169. ISBN 978-1-933108-10-0.
- Dregni et al. (2006), p. 161
- "Fapy Lafertin | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
