BIO
Gaucho is a masterful Bay Area band that combines the influence of gypsy jazz of 1930’s Europe with the rhythmic drive and collective improvisation of New Orleans swing music, gutbucket blues and elements of ragtime. Their sound, a uniquely American concoction, blends instrumental acuity and lighthearted humor that keep their audience coming back for more. As founder, guitarist, and main composer Dave Ricketts says, the band is “in love with the music of Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller and Jimmie Rodgers, as well as the stories, the life styles and the foot steps of hundreds of other great jazz, blues, country and rock musicians that created the sound of American Music from roughly 1900-1950’s”
Led by eminent guitarist, Dave Ricketts, the group has been a San Francisco mainstay for nearly twenty years, and one of the busiest bands in the bay area playing 5 to 10 gigs a week. Together with virtuosos Rob Reich–accordion and Craig Venetresco–guitar, superlative bassist Ari Munkres and versatile percussionist Steve Apple, these guys keep crowds moving with their beats and complex rhythms.
LISTEN TO SONG TRACKS
Gypsy Jazz Music played lovingly by San Francisco cats who love Hot Jazz!
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
“This is jazz that wears its heart on its sleeve with plenty of Saturday savoir-faire and swagger and straight from (and to) the heart of musicianship. In the a.m. or Deep Night, this’ll chase the blues away posthaste.”
PRESS
“Gaucho Still Swings the Mission after 17 Years” - Datebook, San Francisco Chronicle
"San Francisco's Best Band - 2016"– SF Weekly Reader's Poll
“Gaucho transports listeners back in time. Blending instrumental acuity and lighthearted humor, they take the French gypsy tradition straight back to the gutbucket, creating a uniquely American concoction.” – SF Jazz
“S.F. Jazz Festival – 10 shows you need to see”– San Jose Mercury News
"Gaucho - S.F.'s hardest working Gypsy Jazz Band" – SF Chronicle
“Gaucho scores high marks for integrating the rhythms of world cultures in their music while also retaining a slice of Americana in their songs with elements of ragtime and the old-time country-swing of riverboat bands. They offer more than a typical gypsy-jazz ensemble and their love of this music is inspiring.” – Jazz Reviews
“Their tight-knit 1930s Eastern European standards, Reinhardt covers, swing hits and New Orleans jams enabled the outfit to make a name for itself around S.F., scoring high-profile fans like Joy Luck Club author Amy Tan.” – The Monterey Weekly
ACHIEVEMENTS
Gaucho has recorded seven albums, tours regularly, and has an increasing repertoire of over forty original tunes. Seven of their tunes are featured in the 2012 film "Trattoria"; one was chosen by the Metropolitan Museum of Art for their website; and another is featured in the outtakes section of the Pixar DVD CARS 2. In 2018, Gaucho got a song in the Hollywood Movie, "Destination Wedding” starring Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder. And two of Dave’s own compositions will be placed in a New York City based indie film, “Stationed at Home,” in 2022.