The Gypsy Queens

The Gypsy Queens is a French pop band formed in Nice by Didier Casnati. They play a large repertoire of multi-lingual covers, with a rich vocal style likened to bands such as The Beach Boys or The Beatles.

The Gypsy Queens
OriginNice, France
GenresPop
Years active2007–present
Labels
Websitegypsyqueens.com
MembersDidier Casnati
Alberto Laurella
Sam Houghton
Juan Francisco Rey Toro
Joseph Hamblin Boone
Past membersManuel Polin
Jason King
Jay Metcalf
David Zincke
Anders Klunderud
Fred Novelli
Jack Kane
Jeremy Kola
Jeremy Trabucco
Miguel Bosch

Although the band successfully released albums in 2012 and 2014 they are first and foremost a performing band, typically playing at over 200 private events a year. They were "discovered" by the likes of Sir Elton John and Nicolas Sarkozy and have been mainstays of the private party circuit of the rich and famous ever since. Founder Didier Casnati claims "we are the most famous band you have never heard of".

History

2007–2011: Formation and covers

In 2007, after seven years in a duo with Philip Jones, the Italian singer Didier Casnati decided to professionalize and formed a band with five members, named as The Gypsy Queens.[1] The band play an international repertoire of acoustic pop cover versions, and all members sing, giving them a style which reviewers liken to The Beach Boys and The Beatles.[2][3] They played the role of The Plastic People of the Universe in the Tom Stoppard play Rock 'n' Roll, from 26 September 2008, to 23 October 2008, in the Theatre National de Nice. In 2011, Casnati saw a decline in the local clientele of the band, and managed to get an article in an airline magazine in order to restore the business for the band in the south of France; that article led to singing with London Records and Universal Music Group.

2012–present: The Gypsy Queens and Lost in the Music

The band recorded The Gypsy Queens with record producer Larry Klein (who has worked with Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock and Madeleine Peyroux) in Los Angeles, California, in April 2012.[1] The album includes the songs "L'Americano", "Aicha", "Ventura Highway" and "Marrakesh Express". It features vocals from Madeleine Peyroux, Graham Nash, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, as well as piano by Booker T. Jones. The album was released 2 November 2012 and debuted at number 46 in the UK Albums Chart.[4] Their second single "l'Italiano", featuring James Bond Casino Royale Actress Caterina Murino was an international success, achieving several million views on youtube, in just a couple of weeks.[5][6] They performed at Glastonbury Festival[7] and Isle of Wight Festival.[8] At this time, they performed at private parties and events notable public figures as Nicolas Sarkozy, Bono, Vladimir Putin, Janet Jackson, Serena Williams, Prince William and Prince Harry, Giorgio Armani, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Kevin Spacey, Robert de Niro and David and Victoria Beckham.[9][10][11][12][1][13][14]

After the success of their first album, the band recorded Lost in the Music. Produced by lead singer Didier Casnati, it was recorded in London's famous RAK Studios, and finalised in Los Angeles. The album includes the songs "Do you St. Tropez", "Losing myself in the music", "Sunny" and "Parole, Parole". It features vocals from Ben Taylor, and Hayley Westenra, and was mixed by multiple Grammy-winning sound engineer Helik Hadar. The band themselves describe the albums as an "expensive but necessary business card". In 2019, The Gypsy Queens performed for billionaire Harry Macklowe's wedding to Patricia Landeau [15] [16] and David Lee's wedding to Caroline Wozniacki[17][18]

Discography

Studio albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
UK
[19]		 SCO
[20]
The Gypsy Queens 4650
Lost in the Music
  • Released: 23 June 2014[22]
  • Format: CD, digital download
  • Label: London, Universal
 ——
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart
positions		 Album
UK
[19]		 SCO
[23]
"L'Americano" 2012 5350 The Gypsy Queens
"L'Italiano" 2013 ——
"Do You Saint Tropez?"
(featuring Hayley Westenra)		 2014 —— Lost in the Music
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Members
Former members
Timeline

Awards and nominations
2016Estrella de Oro Excelencia ProfessionalWon

References
  1. Sweeting, Adam (10 December 2012). "Gypsy Queens interview: from the Côte d'Azur to the stars" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  2. "The Gypsy Queens to play at La Petite Maison Dubai".
  3. Connolly, Matthew (5 July 2018). "Review: Gypsy Queens, Harrogate Music Festival".
  4. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/1889/gypsy-queens/
  5. "l'Italiano on imdb
  6. The Gypsy Queens "l'Italiano" music clip on Youtube
  7. https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/2013-line-up-revealed/
  8. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-21119370
  9. "Hayley Roberts; David Hasselhoff; JASON KING; GYPSY QUEENS - Dafydd Jones". dafjones.photoshelter.com.
  10. "PHOTOS - Le groupe The Gypsy Queens à la table de Mélanie Laurent, Sidney Toledano et Ana Girardot lors du 18e Grand Bal de Deauville, au profit de l'association Care Fr".
  11. Olsen, Kerry (23 February 2017). "Giorgio Armani, King of Milan Nightlife" – via NYTimes.com.
  12. Gypsy Queens rock Luxembourg Palace in Paris, but Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes won't sing
  13. Cairns, Dan (20 November 2011). "Killer Queens" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  14. "Gypsy Queens". 1 July 2018.
  15. Billionaire Harry Macklowe hosts 200-person wedding dinner at future apartment
  16. Harry Macklowe and Patricia Landeau host reception dinner at future apartment
  17. Inside Caroline Wozniacki’s Wedding at Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany
  18. Fireworks, Games & Bridesmaid Serena Williams! All the Details on Caroline Wozniacki’s Wedding
  19. "UK Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  20. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100: 16 December 2012 - 22 December 2012". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  21. "The Gypsy Queens by The Gypsy Queens on Apple Music". 1 January 2012.
  22. "Lost In the Music by The Gypsy Queens on Apple Music". 22 June 2014.
  23. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100: 23 December 2012 - 29 December 2012". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
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