Home » Jazz Musicians » Ultrafaux

Ultrafaux

The Baltimore-based Ultrafaux Ensemble performs original Gypsy Jazz-inspired music with elements of swing, funk, blues, Brazilian choro, and French musette. Lead guitarist and composer Michael Joseph Harris is one of the most prolific writers in this style rooted in the technique of legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt. The instrumentation and personnel vary with each show drawing from a list of top players in the jazz, folk and bluegrass scene. The compositions allow Harris' constant rotation of sidemen on accordion, violin, clarinet, guitar, and upright bass, to harmonize together over rich Gypsy-inspired melodies while also allowing ample solo opportunities throughout each song. Each musician and every different instrument informs the music in a new way which offers endless variation and a unique experience for the audience every time they tour.

Ultrafaux's original song, Latcho Dromo was chosen by acclaimed producer of Hot Club Records, Jon Larsen to be featured on Django Festival #9, an international compilation of gypsy jazz music. The year after, Harris' recording of Place de Brouckere was featured on Django Festival #10 and then another the following year when Signs of Struggle was featured on Django Festival #11, making Harris one of the only artists to ever be featured three years in a row. Ultrafaux has been featured on CBS News, The Baltimore Sun, and Baltimore Style Magazine. They have performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Django By The Sea, Django-a-gogo, The Django Birthday Party, Djangoary, Midwest Gypsy Swingfest, Charm City Django Jazz Festival, IMT Folk Series, Napa Valley Jazz Society, Carrboro Django Jazzfest, and Festival Django Reinhardt in France.

Ultrafaux Announces The 2016 "Django By The Sea" Tour, Fall Dates In Northeastern U.S. And Canada Offer Original Gypsy Jazz

Source: Jazz Beyond Borders
October 2, 2016

Popular Charm City guitarist and bandleader Michael Joseph Harris is taking his role as a musical ambassador to a new level with the 2016 release of two gypsy jazz albums and extensive touring across the United States. The latest is the “Django by the Sea Tour” with a send-off performance at the Baltimore Jazz Fest October 1, followed by fourteen concert dates through October in the U.S. and Canada, including the Django by the Sea festival October 8, 2016. His ...
read more

Performance / Tour

Baltimore Bands Go On The Road With A New Generation Of Gypsy Jazz

Source: Liz Fixsen
June 7, 2016

Popular Charm City guitarist and bandleader Michael Joseph Harris is taking his role as a musical ambassador to a new level with the 2016 release of two new Gypsy Jazz albums and a summer concert tour of over two dozen American cities. The album Coquette was recorded by his group Hot Club of Baltimore, focusing on the repertoire of legendary Belgian born French guitarist Django Reinhardt. Reinhardt famously perfected a Roma swing style in the 1930s and 40s recognized to ...
read more

"We sometimes forget that jazz was first and foremost a people's music meant for dancing and socializing. One evening with Ultrafaux demonstrates why jazz has been so irresistible to listeners all over the world." — Ken Avis, BJA

“Ultrafaux's original compositions compare favorably to classic Hot Club tunes. They update the tradition and bring the swing into the 21st century.” — Paul Hartman, Detour, WTMD

“Ultrafaux breathes new life into jazz, while holding onto the sense of nostalgia that makes this genre so timeless and appealing in the first place. This is music you didn’t know you were missing, and it’s wonderful to hear it anew.” — Sam Sessa, Hit Parade, WTMD