Biography

Duo Gadjo's music is inspired by the sounds of the 20's and 30's, when jazz was the thing and Paris was the place to be. Their style is generally called 'French Cafe' or 'Gypsy Jazz' as pioneered by the french gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. Their repertoire spans from Bal-Musette to Edith Piaf, and Serge Gainsbourg, but also includes selections from the Great American songbook. Isabelle Fontaine was born and raised in the French countryside with the voices of Edith Piaf, Charles Trenet, and Yves Montand ringing in her ears. During her college years, she started performing as a vocalist. She spent the next twenty years performing throughout France. During this period, she developed an unconditional love for the Ladies and the Dukes of the Big Band Era, and the great composers of the American Songbook. She was eventually drawn to the gypsy swing of Django Reinhardt and The Hot Club of France, the perfect union of her French cultural heritage and the world of Jazz. Jeff Magidson was born in San Francisco. He learned to read music and play the piano at an early age and became proficient on a number of instruments. In 1983, on a year abroad program in France, he was drawn into the local music scene and ended up staying 20 years. It was here that Jeff was first introduced to the music of Django Reinhardt. Jeff was drawn deep into the world of Gypsy Swing culminating in the formation of Duo Gadjo with Isabelle.