Urban Gypsies – Gypsy Fever

Urban Gypsies began in Perth, Western Australia in 1998 with a view to play a mix of original, cross cultural acoustic guitar music including a mix of styles such as bossa nova, samba, rumba, gypsy swing and other world music influences.
The original members of the group were noted Australian guitarists Gavin Libotte and Glenn Rogers. From this fiery duo came the album Gypsy Fever and a series of concerts at the Fremantle Arts Centre, Perth Jazz Society, Kulcha, Fairbridge Festival, Joondalup Festival, support to international artists such as Cassandra Wilson and at the Perth Concert Hall and for the Buena Vista Social Club’s Australian tour.
Following this period Gavin Libotte’s move to Sydney prompted young guitarist Simon Phillips to join him to create a more progressive version of the group in NSW. These two guitarists capitalised on their boyish exuberance and energetic musical prowess. The production of the second album Sauvage (which was released April 2003) reflects such qualities.